Harley Davidson Softail Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Harley Davidson Softail car check
Is the Harley Davidson Softail reliable? We analysed 1,567 real MOT tests across 220 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Harley Davidson Softail? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Harley Davidson Softail is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, direction indicator missing and tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Harley Davidson Softail.
Harley Davidson Softail Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Harley Davidson Softail. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Harley Davidson Softail MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Harley Davidson Softail to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Harley Davidson Softail Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Harley Davidson Softail fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Harley Davidson Softail Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Harley Davidson Softail models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Harley Davidson Softail Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Harley Davidson Softail owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Harley Davidson Softail MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Harley Davidson Softail year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 201 | 90.5% | 4,919 | 9,256 | 14,594 |
| 2013 | 115 | 94.8% | 4,401 | 7,054 | 9,684 |
| 2002 | 62 | 87.1% | 12,840 | 26,304 | 42,045 |
| 1998 | 54 | 83.3% | 12,031 | 16,800 | 41,447 |
| 1997 | 69 | 84.1% | 8,318 | 10,850 | 18,028 |
| 1996 | 128 | 92.2% | 18,488 | 24,614 | 33,438 |
| 1995 | 84 | 90.5% | 6,395 | 21,648 | 28,640 |
| 1994 | 69 | 84.1% | 17,460 | 25,097 | 42,947 |
| 1993 | 100 | 92.0% | 9,786 | 17,787 | 31,716 |
| 1991 | 70 | 88.6% | 26,298 | 28,956 | 31,902 |
| 1990 | 70 | 90.0% | 30,276 | 36,396 | 39,494 |
| 1989 | 50 | 76.0% | 1,019 | 22,736 | 42,028 |
How Long Does a Harley Davidson Softail Last?
Based on 220 Harley Davidson Softail vehicles on UK roads.
Harley Davidson Softail Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Harley Davidson Softail MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Harley Davidson Softail
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
94.8% MOT pass rate from 115 tests
76.0% MOT pass rate from 50 tests
The best year to buy a used Harley Davidson Softail is 2013, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 94.8% across 115 tests. The 1989 model year has the lowest pass rate at 76.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Harley Davidson Softail Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harley Davidson Softail THIS CAR | 87.7% | 1,567 | 16,938 mi | 37 yrs |
| Harley Davidson Flstf | 90.2% | 29,205 | 12,821 mi | 36 yrs |
| Harley Davidson XL | 89.1% | 22,811 | 6,150 mi | 13 yrs |
| Harley Davidson Flstc | 90.4% | 18,909 | 18,256 mi | 37 yrs |
| Mini Countryman Cooper D Auto | 85.3% | 2,090 | 55,061 mi | 15 yrs |
Compared to the Harley Davidson Flstf (90.2% pass rate) and the Harley Davidson XL (89.1% pass rate), the Harley Davidson Softail trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Harley Davidson Softail you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Harley Davidson SoftailShould you buy a used Harley Davidson Softail?
The Harley Davidson Softail has an overall MOT pass rate of 87.7% across 1,567 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common problems on the Harley Davidson Softail are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (13 recorded failures), direction indicator missing (9), and tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (6). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is stop lamp remains on when the brakes are released. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Harley Davidson Softail with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.
A typical Harley Davidson Softail owner drives around 512 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Harley Davidson Softail models stay on UK roads for around 37 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.