Harley Davidson XL1200 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Harley Davidson XL1200 car check
Is the Harley Davidson XL1200 reliable? We analysed 1,695 real MOT tests across 146 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Harley Davidson XL1200? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Harley Davidson XL1200 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, roller brake test indicates a binding brake and tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Harley Davidson XL1200.
Harley Davidson XL1200 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Harley Davidson XL1200. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Harley Davidson XL1200 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Harley Davidson XL1200 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Harley Davidson XL1200 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Harley Davidson XL1200 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Harley Davidson XL1200 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Harley Davidson XL1200 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Harley Davidson XL1200 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Harley Davidson XL1200 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 92 | 93.5% | 5,440 | 11,268 | 20,602 |
| 2008 | 126 | 88.9% | 5,517 | 9,406 | 16,325 |
| 2007 | 77 | 90.9% | 8,061 | 13,884 | 19,188 |
| 2006 | 96 | 88.5% | 9,262 | 13,547 | 18,996 |
| 2005 | 58 | 82.8% | 5,095 | 18,055 | 42,868 |
| 2004 | 76 | 89.5% | 7,989 | 11,742 | 20,135 |
| 2003 | 68 | 83.8% | 8,897 | 11,252 | 12,720 |
| 1999 | 59 | 91.5% | 9,499 | 17,489 | 23,384 |
| 1997 | 85 | 88.2% | 3,101 | 10,122 | 31,366 |
| 1996 | 131 | 81.7% | 13,963 | 17,297 | 21,071 |
| 1995 | 196 | 87.8% | 8,478 | 15,690 | 22,544 |
| 1993 | 163 | 91.4% | 12,416 | 19,916 | 27,658 |
| 1992 | 67 | 85.1% | 15,725 | 22,444 | 26,492 |
| 1991 | 74 | 78.4% | 14,798 | 26,076 | 28,030 |
| 1990 | 56 | 87.5% | 2,565 | 15,233 | 27,179 |
| 1989 | 57 | 86.0% | 3,107 | 21,472 | 24,760 |
How Long Does a Harley Davidson XL1200 Last?
Based on 146 Harley Davidson XL1200 vehicles on UK roads.
Harley Davidson XL1200 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Harley Davidson XL1200 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 XL1200
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
93.5% MOT pass rate from 92 tests
78.4% MOT pass rate from 74 tests
The best year to buy a used Harley Davidson XL1200 is 2009, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 93.5% across 92 tests. The 1991 model year has the lowest pass rate at 78.4% — 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 XL1200 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harley Davidson XL1200 THIS CAR | 87.6% | 1,695 | 15,308 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 |
| BMW M3 Competition M Xdrive Auto | 93.3% | 2,327 | 22,103 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Harley Davidson Flstf (90.2% pass rate) and the Harley Davidson XL (89.1% pass rate), the Harley Davidson XL1200 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Harley Davidson XL1200 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 XL1200Should you buy a used Harley Davidson XL1200?
The Harley Davidson XL1200 has an overall MOT pass rate of 87.6% across 1,695 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 XL1200 are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (16 recorded failures), roller brake test indicates a binding brake (8), and tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (7). 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.
A typical Harley Davidson XL1200 owner drives around 446 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 XL1200 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.