Harley Davidson XL883 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Harley Davidson XL883 car check
Is the Harley Davidson XL883 reliable? We analysed 13,192 real MOT tests across 1,361 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Harley Davidson XL883? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Harley Davidson XL883 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, reflector on motorcycle missing 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 XL883.
Harley Davidson XL883 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Harley Davidson XL883. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Harley Davidson XL883 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Harley Davidson XL883 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Harley Davidson XL883 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Harley Davidson XL883 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Harley Davidson XL883 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Harley Davidson XL883 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Harley Davidson XL883 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Harley Davidson XL883 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 56 | 87.5% | 6,267 | 8,229 | 13,140 |
| 2012 | 73 | 83.6% | 3,128 | 6,491 | 11,628 |
| 2011 | 65 | 84.6% | 2,778 | 4,620 | 6,822 |
| 2010 | 158 | 84.2% | 3,646 | 9,147 | 16,149 |
| 2009 | 1,635 | 88.0% | 3,938 | 7,462 | 14,028 |
| 2008 | 1,259 | 88.8% | 4,724 | 8,933 | 15,721 |
| 2007 | 1,413 | 90.0% | 5,026 | 9,236 | 16,619 |
| 2006 | 2,311 | 89.1% | 4,727 | 8,650 | 15,991 |
| 2005 | 2,374 | 89.2% | 4,556 | 8,874 | 14,839 |
| 2004 | 163 | 83.4% | 4,790 | 8,589 | 13,480 |
| 2003 | 180 | 87.8% | 7,739 | 11,983 | 19,419 |
| 2002 | 185 | 88.1% | 11,088 | 16,980 | 28,363 |
| 2001 | 78 | 87.2% | 4,587 | 13,095 | 16,476 |
| 1999 | 50 | 86.0% | 12,652 | 18,805 | 26,432 |
| 1998 | 72 | 86.1% | 4,330 | 14,938 | 24,032 |
| 1997 | 192 | 88.5% | 7,304 | 16,421 | 24,198 |
| 1996 | 359 | 84.7% | 7,338 | 13,692 | 21,223 |
| 1995 | 429 | 87.4% | 7,930 | 13,947 | 19,140 |
| 1994 | 385 | 85.7% | 8,045 | 17,263 | 27,947 |
| 1993 | 176 | 85.8% | 10,838 | 14,586 | 19,240 |
How Long Does a Harley Davidson XL883 Last?
Based on 1,361 Harley Davidson XL883 vehicles on UK roads.
Harley Davidson XL883 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Harley Davidson XL883 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 XL883
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
90.0% MOT pass rate from 1,413 tests
78.2% MOT pass rate from 78 tests
The best year to buy a used Harley Davidson XL883 is 2007, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 90.0% across 1,413 tests. The 1987 model year has the lowest pass rate at 78.2% — 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 XL883 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harley Davidson XL883 THIS CAR | 88.0% | 13,192 | 9,881 mi | 38 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 |
| Mcc Smart Passion Auto (lhd) | 70.7% | 10,351 | 52,471 mi | 26 yrs |
Compared to the Harley Davidson Flstf (90.2% pass rate) and the Harley Davidson XL (89.1% pass rate), the Harley Davidson XL883 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Harley Davidson XL883 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 XL883Should you buy a used Harley Davidson XL883?
The Harley Davidson XL883 has an overall MOT pass rate of 88.0% across 13,192 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 XL883 are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (60 recorded failures), reflector on motorcycle missing (52), and registration plate with character(s) which are not the correct height (47). 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 XL883 owner drives around 480 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 XL883 models stay on UK roads for around 38 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.