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P281 ETV

1997 Harley Davidson Sportster

Blue Petrol 883cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires18 Apr 2027
Tests16 (14 pass, 2 fail)
Pass rate87.5%

Mileage

10,567 mi
Last recorded10,567 miles
Recorded on8 Apr 2026
Typical for 1997 Harley Davidson Sportster14,188 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Harley Davidson
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationP281 ETV
MakeHarley Davidson
ModelSportster
Year1997
ColourBlue
Fuel typePetrol
Engine883cc

All premium checks include

50+ data points
Finance Check (Experian) Insurance Write-off Salvage Auction Stolen Check Previous Owners Ex-Taxi, Police, NHS Mileage Anomaly Import / Export Scrapped Check Plate Changes

MOT History

14 pass 2 fail
Pass 8 Apr 2026 10,567 miles

Clutch lever bent (6.2.7 (b))

Exhaust noisy (8.1.1 (a))

Pass 19 Apr 2025 10,437 miles
Pass 13 Apr 2024 10,237 miles

lights covered

Pass 14 Apr 2023 10,088 miles
Pass 26 Mar 2022 9,877 miles

Clutch lever bent (6.2.7 (b))

Exhaust noisy (8.1.1 (a))

Pass 9 Mar 2021 9,491 miles
Pass 16 May 2018 9,397 miles
Pass 29 Jun 2016 9,294 miles
Fail 29 Jun 2016 9,294 miles

Rear Rear position lamp does not illuminate immediately when it is switched on (1.1.3a)

Pass 24 Jun 2015 8,925 miles

Exhaust noisy (7.1.2)

Fail 7 May 2013 8,461 miles

Exhaust markings indicating not for road use or similar wording (7.1.4)

both tyreshave perished sidewalls

Pass 7 May 2013 8,461 miles

both tyreshave perished sidewalls

Pass 10 Mar 2012 7,865 miles
Pass 4 Mar 2011 6,561 miles

Front Roller brake test indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort (3.3.A1d)

Front wheel bearings have slight free play (2.3.5b)

Pass 19 Sep 2009 6,432 miles
Pass 29 Sep 2008 5,739 miles

How Reliable is the Harley Davidson Sportster?

Based on 10,382 MOT tests across 942 vehicles.

86.4%
Pass Rate
392
Miles/Year
40
Year Lifespan
942
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 88
reflector on motorcycle missing 59
Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 56
Direction indicator not working 36
Exhaust noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motor bicycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition 36
Full Harley Davidson Sportster reliability report

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P281 ETV is a 1997 Harley Davidson Sportster in Blue with a 883cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 16 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 87.5%.

Across all 1997 Harley Davidson Sportster models, the average MOT pass rate is 86.4% with a typical mileage of 14,188 miles. This particular vehicle has performed better than the average for its year.

The most common reason a Harley Davidson Sportster fails its MOT is stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, accounting for 88 recorded failures. If you're considering buying P281 ETV, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Harley Davidson Sportster typically stays on UK roads for around 40 years. At 29 years old, this Harley Davidson Sportster is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of P281 ETV?

You can check the full history of P281 ETV by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P281 ETV registered?

P281 ETV is a 1997 Harley Davidson Sportster, first registered on 1 April 1997.

Is P281 ETV safe to buy?

The MOT history for P281 ETV shows 16 tests with a 87.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P281 ETV have outstanding finance?

Finance checks require a premium vehicle report. This checks against all major UK finance providers to see if there is any outstanding finance on P281 ETV. If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the finance company can repossess it.

No warranty or guarantee of accuracy is provided for any free data on this page. The data guarantee applies only to information obtained through the purchase of a full check.