Harley Davidson XL1200S Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Harley Davidson XL1200S car check
Is the Harley Davidson XL1200S reliable? We analysed 3,846 real MOT tests across 340 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Harley Davidson XL1200S? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Harley Davidson XL1200S is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies and registration plate with character(s) which are not the correct height. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Harley Davidson XL1200S.
Harley Davidson XL1200S Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Harley Davidson XL1200S. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Harley Davidson XL1200S MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Harley Davidson XL1200S to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Harley Davidson XL1200S Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Harley Davidson XL1200S fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Harley Davidson XL1200S Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Harley Davidson XL1200S owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Harley Davidson XL1200S MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Harley Davidson XL1200S year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 96 | 88.5% | 5,204 | 9,133 | 14,687 |
| 2007 | 51 | 86.3% | 12,132 | 18,166 | 24,181 |
| 2006 | 67 | 92.5% | 6,203 | 16,447 | 22,889 |
| 2004 | 120 | 81.7% | 3,747 | 8,652 | 11,971 |
| 2003 | 801 | 89.8% | 5,566 | 8,541 | 12,614 |
| 2002 | 645 | 89.3% | 6,269 | 12,701 | 18,101 |
| 2001 | 343 | 88.9% | 7,144 | 12,723 | 21,532 |
| 2000 | 404 | 88.1% | 7,912 | 14,158 | 22,480 |
| 1999 | 285 | 90.9% | 10,134 | 15,173 | 20,345 |
| 1998 | 256 | 86.3% | 6,837 | 14,035 | 19,986 |
| 1997 | 229 | 83.8% | 9,185 | 13,354 | 16,502 |
| 1996 | 183 | 88.0% | 6,065 | 14,739 | 20,886 |
| 1995 | 162 | 85.8% | 8,703 | 12,516 | 17,772 |
| 1994 | 57 | 91.2% | 12,116 | 24,896 | 37,435 |
How Long Does a Harley Davidson XL1200S Last?
Based on 340 Harley Davidson XL1200S vehicles on UK roads.
Harley Davidson XL1200S Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Harley Davidson XL1200S 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 XL1200S
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
92.5% MOT pass rate from 67 tests
81.7% MOT pass rate from 120 tests
The best year to buy a used Harley Davidson XL1200S is 2006, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 92.5% across 67 tests. The 2004 model year has the lowest pass rate at 81.7% — 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 XL1200S Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harley Davidson XL1200S THIS CAR | 88.4% | 3,846 | 11,818 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 |
| BMW 850 | 75.1% | 7,572 | 103,890 mi | 36 yrs |
Compared to the Harley Davidson Flstf (90.2% pass rate) and the Harley Davidson XL (89.1% pass rate), the Harley Davidson XL1200S trails behind on MOT reliability.
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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 XL1200SShould you buy a used Harley Davidson XL1200S?
The Harley Davidson XL1200S has an overall MOT pass rate of 88.4% across 3,846 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 XL1200S are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (25 recorded failures), stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (23), and registration plate with character(s) which are not the correct height (18). 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 XL1200S owner drives around 485 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 XL1200S 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.