Harley Davidson XL1200C Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Harley Davidson XL1200C car check
Is the Harley Davidson XL1200C reliable? We analysed 9,931 real MOT tests across 897 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Harley Davidson XL1200C? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Harley Davidson XL1200C is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm and exhaust markings indicating not for road use or similar wording. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Harley Davidson XL1200C.
Harley Davidson XL1200C Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Harley Davidson XL1200C. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Harley Davidson XL1200C MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Harley Davidson XL1200C to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Harley Davidson XL1200C Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Harley Davidson XL1200C fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Harley Davidson XL1200C Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Harley Davidson XL1200C models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Harley Davidson XL1200C Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Harley Davidson XL1200C owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Harley Davidson XL1200C MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Harley Davidson XL1200C year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 63 | 87.3% | 2,828 | 6,831 | 10,116 |
| 2009 | 268 | 92.2% | 5,919 | 11,495 | 22,104 |
| 2008 | 342 | 87.7% | 6,098 | 10,958 | 15,739 |
| 2007 | 413 | 89.8% | 7,245 | 13,052 | 22,040 |
| 2006 | 700 | 91.1% | 6,165 | 11,593 | 18,009 |
| 2005 | 599 | 90.0% | 7,216 | 12,761 | 22,490 |
| 2004 | 1,384 | 91.0% | 6,777 | 11,168 | 20,335 |
| 2003 | 1,131 | 88.3% | 6,676 | 11,170 | 20,432 |
| 2002 | 720 | 88.6% | 5,087 | 10,884 | 18,138 |
| 2001 | 914 | 87.0% | 8,881 | 14,339 | 22,724 |
| 2000 | 626 | 88.2% | 6,670 | 11,088 | 16,395 |
| 1999 | 618 | 87.7% | 7,307 | 11,782 | 17,088 |
| 1998 | 579 | 87.6% | 7,620 | 12,391 | 20,020 |
| 1997 | 608 | 89.6% | 9,140 | 15,776 | 26,949 |
| 1996 | 298 | 87.9% | 5,453 | 10,663 | 16,020 |
| 1995 | 120 | 88.3% | 3,831 | 9,530 | 21,177 |
| 1994 | 154 | 83.8% | 8,968 | 12,768 | 19,397 |
| 1988 | 53 | 73.6% | 3,150 | 15,471 | 34,761 |
How Long Does a Harley Davidson XL1200C Last?
Based on 897 Harley Davidson XL1200C vehicles on UK roads.
Harley Davidson XL1200C Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Harley Davidson XL1200C 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 XL1200C
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
92.2% MOT pass rate from 268 tests
73.6% MOT pass rate from 53 tests
The best year to buy a used Harley Davidson XL1200C is 2009, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 92.2% across 268 tests. The 1988 model year has the lowest pass rate at 73.6% — 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 XL1200C Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harley Davidson XL1200C THIS CAR | 89.0% | 9,931 | 11,971 mi | 32 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 |
| Lml Star Deluxe | 83.8% | 15,994 | 5,492 mi | 24 yrs |
Compared to the Harley Davidson Flstf (90.2% pass rate) and the Harley Davidson XL (89.1% pass rate), the Harley Davidson XL1200C trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Harley Davidson XL1200C 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 XL1200CShould you buy a used Harley Davidson XL1200C?
The Harley Davidson XL1200C has an overall MOT pass rate of 89.0% across 9,931 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 XL1200C are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (52 recorded failures), tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (49), and exhaust markings indicating not for road use or similar wording (35). 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 tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Harley Davidson XL1200C 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 XL1200C owner drives around 438 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 XL1200C models stay on UK roads for around 32 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.