Harley-davidson Xlh Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Harley-davidson Xlh car check
Is the Harley-davidson Xlh reliable? We analysed 1,054 real MOT tests across 106 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Harley-davidson Xlh? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Harley-davidson Xlh is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include wheel bearings have excessive free play, stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Harley-davidson Xlh.
Harley-davidson Xlh Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Harley-davidson Xlh. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Harley-davidson Xlh MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Harley-davidson Xlh to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Harley-davidson Xlh Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Harley-davidson Xlh fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Harley-davidson Xlh Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Harley-davidson Xlh owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Harley-davidson Xlh MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Harley-davidson Xlh year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 60 | 83.3% | 14,848 | 21,310 | 29,227 |
| 1996 | 85 | 84.7% | 4,797 | 12,709 | 27,001 |
| 1995 | 68 | 80.9% | 4,926 | 7,043 | 12,580 |
| 1993 | 124 | 84.7% | 8,730 | 16,055 | 21,921 |
| 1992 | 94 | 80.9% | 2,978 | 15,318 | 25,583 |
| 1991 | 116 | 80.2% | 5,174 | 11,894 | 39,981 |
| 1990 | 58 | 93.1% | 10,345 | 17,952 | 26,422 |
| 1988 | 57 | 89.5% | 2,129 | 19,644 | 25,565 |
How Long Does a Harley-davidson Xlh Last?
Based on 106 Harley-davidson Xlh vehicles on UK roads.
Harley-davidson Xlh Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Harley-davidson Xlh 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 Xlh
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
93.1% MOT pass rate from 58 tests
80.2% MOT pass rate from 116 tests
The best year to buy a used Harley-davidson Xlh is 1990, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 93.1% across 58 tests. The 1991 model year has the lowest pass rate at 80.2% — 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 Xlh Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harley-davidson Xlh THIS CAR | 85.2% | 1,054 | 11,682 mi | 38 yrs |
| Harley-davidson Xlh 883 | 88.8% | 47,203 | 10,536 mi | 38 yrs |
| Harley-davidson XL 1200 C Custom Sport | 89.4% | 16,429 | 10,286 mi | 29 yrs |
| Harley-davidson XL53 C | 88.6% | 15,043 | 11,058 mi | 28 yrs |
| Citroen Berlingo 600 HDI Enter 75 | 73.4% | 1,224 | 130,406 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Harley-davidson Xlh 883 (88.8% pass rate) and the Harley-davidson XL 1200 C Custom Sport (89.4% pass rate), the Harley-davidson Xlh trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Harley-davidson Xlh 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 XlhShould you buy a used Harley-davidson Xlh?
The Harley-davidson Xlh has an overall MOT pass rate of 85.2% across 1,054 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 Xlh are wheel bearings have excessive free play (7 recorded failures), stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (6), and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (6). 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 Xlh owner drives around 351 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 Xlh 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.