Harley Davidson XL Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Harley Davidson XL car check
Is the Harley Davidson XL reliable? We analysed 22,811 real MOT tests across 3,589 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Harley Davidson XL? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Harley Davidson XL is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Harley Davidson XL.
Harley Davidson XL Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Harley Davidson XL. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Harley Davidson XL MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Harley Davidson XL to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Harley Davidson XL Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Harley Davidson XL models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Harley Davidson XL Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Harley Davidson XL owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Harley Davidson XL MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Harley Davidson XL year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 200 | 88.0% | 2,098 | 4,539 | 7,956 |
| 2016 | 6,782 | 89.2% | 3,302 | 5,893 | 9,977 |
| 2015 | 8,089 | 89.7% | 3,268 | 5,987 | 10,152 |
| 2014 | 5,040 | 88.9% | 3,574 | 6,515 | 10,966 |
| 2013 | 483 | 86.7% | 2,799 | 5,122 | 9,129 |
| 2012 | 331 | 87.0% | 1,898 | 3,951 | 7,904 |
| 2011 | 139 | 92.8% | 898 | 3,959 | 7,787 |
| 2010 | 82 | 87.8% | 1,180 | 2,522 | 5,177 |
| 2009 | 137 | 86.9% | 2,113 | 5,233 | 10,286 |
| 2008 | 165 | 86.7% | 7,147 | 15,774 | 20,823 |
| 2007 | 146 | 88.4% | 4,104 | 10,152 | 15,084 |
| 2006 | 78 | 93.6% | 3,236 | 13,417 | 24,783 |
| 2005 | 81 | 77.8% | 6,004 | 9,896 | 20,344 |
| 2004 | 78 | 92.3% | 3,632 | 13,177 | 17,420 |
| 2003 | 52 | 86.5% | 4,950 | 11,517 | 20,590 |
| 1995 | 52 | 82.7% | 304 | 13,168 | 23,145 |
| 1994 | 68 | 91.2% | 10,982 | 14,339 | 23,237 |
| 1993 | 101 | 85.1% | 9,950 | 16,588 | 22,488 |
| 1988 | 53 | 79.2% | 3,429 | 12,756 | 14,788 |
How Long Does a Harley Davidson XL Last?
Based on 3,589 Harley Davidson XL vehicles on UK roads.
Harley Davidson XL Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Harley Davidson XL 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 XL
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
93.6% MOT pass rate from 78 tests
77.8% MOT pass rate from 81 tests
The best year to buy a used Harley Davidson XL is 2006, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 93.6% across 78 tests. The 2005 model year has the lowest pass rate at 77.8% — 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 XL Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harley Davidson XL THIS CAR | 89.1% | 22,811 | 6,150 mi | 13 yrs |
| Harley Davidson Flstf | 90.2% | 29,205 | 12,821 mi | 36 yrs |
| Harley Davidson Flstc | 90.4% | 18,909 | 18,256 mi | 37 yrs |
| Harley Davidson Vrsca | 89.6% | 13,296 | 7,742 mi | 24 yrs |
| Volkswagen Polo SE | 90.4% | 8,384 | 51,011 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Harley Davidson Flstf (90.2% pass rate) and the Harley Davidson Flstc (90.4% pass rate), the Harley Davidson XL trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Harley Davidson XL 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 XLShould you buy a used Harley Davidson XL?
The Harley Davidson XL has an overall MOT pass rate of 89.1% across 22,811 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
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 XL 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 XL owner drives around 502 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 XL models stay on UK roads for around 13 years. 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.