HARLEY-DAVIDSON 1200

1202cc Petrol Class 2

#1604 of 5426 overall #272 of 397 HARLEY-DAVIDSONs #322 of 465 cruiser bikes

88.0%

first-time pass rate

6.0%

failed outright

8,149

median miles at test

4,691

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2025

The 1200's first-time pass rate has fallen 5.6 points since 2006, 94.2% to 88.6%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the 1200's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage 1200 passes first time 90.7% of the time; by 30k that's 75.5%.

First-time pass rate by odometer reading at test, 10,000-mile bands for this model. Mileage is the strongest reliability signal. See the full curve.

What fails on a 1200

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lamps and reflectors	174	34.5	1.6×
lighting and signalling	98	19.4	0.4×
brakes	62	12.3	0.3×
reg plates and vin	34	6.7	0.9×
structure and attachments	26	5.1	0.8×
tyres	25	5	0.7×
fuel and exhaust	23	4.6	0.6×
Identification of the vehicle	22	4.4	2.0×
suspension	22	4.4	0.6×
steering and suspension	19	3.8	0.1×

Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects. "vs all bikes" is how often this model's tests record a defect in the group, as a multiple of the all-bike rate.

How rivals compare

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the 1200 beats 2 of its 4 closest rivals (TRIUMPH BONNEVILLE, TRIUMPH THUNDERBIRD, HARLEY-DAVIDSON XLH 883).

TRIUMPH BONNEVILLE 89.0% pass · 195k tests TRIUMPH THUNDERBIRD 87.8% pass · 56.3k tests HARLEY-DAVIDSON XLH 883 87.4% pass · 41.2k tests HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLSTF 88.9% pass · 30.1k tests

Rivals share this bike's type and sit within ±30% of its engine capacity, ≥ 5,000 tests. Card colour = better/worse first-time pass rate than the 1200.

Pass rate by registration year

how each model-year cohort fares · registration year from first use date

Best year to buy used: 2017 (94.7% pass). Weakest: 1988 (75.5%).

First-time pass rate by the year each bike was first registered (cohorts with ≥ 50 tests). Older cohorts are survivors: the worst examples have already left the road, which tends to lift the earliest years.

HARLEY-DAVIDSON 1200 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the HARLEY-DAVIDSON 1200 reliable?

The HARLEY-DAVIDSON 1200 is more reliable than average for its class: 88.0% of its 4,691 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1604 of 5426 models.

What does a 1200 fail its MOT on most?

lamps and reflectors — 34% of all defects recorded against failed 1200 tests.

What is the best year of 1200 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2017-registered examples do best (94.7%) and 1988 worst (75.5%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a 1200 last?

The median 1200 shows 8,149 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 75.5% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.