HARLEY-DAVIDSON 1340
The pass rate is the MOT first-time pass: a roadworthiness check of the items an MOT covers (brakes, lights, tyres, steering, structure, emissions), not a full mechanical inspection of engine or gearbox internals. It is a reliability signal, not a complete measure of mechanical reliability. What this measures.
“vs expected” adjusts for age, mileage and test class, so a cherished classic and a hard-used commuter are compared fairly. How this works.
Pass rate over time
The 1340's first-time pass rate has held steady since 2006 (89.8% → 90.3%).
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage 1340 passes first time 88.5% of the time; by 50k that's 77.1%.
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 1340
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lighting and signalling |
|
124 | 35.4 | 0.7× |
| brakes |
|
62 | 17.7 | 0.4× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
34 | 9.7 | 0.6× |
| reg plates and vin |
|
34 | 9.7 | 1.9× |
| steering and suspension |
|
31 | 8.9 | 0.3× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
28 | 8 | 0.5× |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
18 | 5.1 | 0.9× |
| body and structure |
|
8 | 2.3 | 0.6× |
| Identification of the vehicle |
|
6 | 1.7 | 1.0× |
| structure and attachments |
|
5 | 1.4 | 0.2× |
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
On first-time pass rate the 1340 beats 0 of its 4 closest rivals (HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLSTF, HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLSTC, HARLEY-DAVIDSON XL1200C).
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 1340.
Compare with any bike
More HARLEY-DAVIDSON models
Pass rate by registration year
Best year to buy used: 1998 (91.4% pass). Weakest: 1989 (84.8%).
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 1340 FAQ
Is the HARLEY-DAVIDSON 1340 reliable?
The HARLEY-DAVIDSON 1340 is more reliable than average for its class: 87.2% of its 2,540 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1855 of 5428 models.
What does a 1340 fail its MOT on most?
lighting and signalling — 35% of all defects recorded against failed 1340 tests.
What is the best year of 1340 to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 1998-registered examples do best (91.4%) and 1989 worst (84.8%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a 1340 last?
The median 1340 shows 18,896 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 77.1% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.
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