HARLEY-DAVIDSON 1200 CUSTOM XL C SPORTSTER 13

1202cc Petrol Class 2

#414 of 5426 overall #61 of 397 HARLEY-DAVIDSONs #79 of 465 cruiser bikes

92.3%

first-time pass rate

4.4%

failed outright

6,895

median miles at test

298

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2016–2023

The 1200 CUSTOM XL C SPORTSTER 13's first-time pass rate has risen 4.4 points since 2016, 88.9% to 93.3%.

What fails on a 1200 CUSTOM XL C SPORTSTER 13

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects
lamps and reflectors	8	38.1
suspension	3	14.3
reg plates and vin	3	14.3
brakes	2	9.5
audible warning (Horn)	1	4.8
tyres	1	4.8
lighting and signalling	1	4.8
steering and suspension	1	4.8
structure and attachments	1	4.8

Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects.

How rivals compare

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the 1200 CUSTOM XL C SPORTSTER 13 beats 4 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 CUSTOM XL C SPORTSTER 13.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2013 (92.9% pass). Weakest: 2013 (92.9%).

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.