Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
HARLEY-DAVIDSON DYNA WIDE GLIDE
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 DYNA WIDE GLIDE's first-time pass rate has held steady since 2006 (87.1% → 86.7%).
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage DYNA WIDE GLIDE passes first time 91.6% of the time; by 30k that's 87.8%.
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 DYNA WIDE GLIDE
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lighting and signalling |
|
13 | 28.9 | 0.5× |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
6 | 13.3 | 1.3× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
5 | 11.1 | 0.4× |
| brakes |
|
5 | 11.1 | 0.2× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
5 | 11.1 | 0.4× |
| body and structure |
|
3 | 6.7 | 0.8× |
| suspension |
|
3 | 6.7 | 0.8× |
| steering and suspension |
|
2 | 4.4 | 0.1× |
| structure and attachments |
|
2 | 4.4 | 0.6× |
| audible warning (Horn) |
|
1 | 2.2 | 1.1× |
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
On first-time pass rate the DYNA WIDE GLIDE beats 4 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 DYNA WIDE GLIDE.
Compare with any bike
More HARLEY-DAVIDSON models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 1996 (96.5%). Lowest: 1997 (83.1%). Every Dyna Wide Glide year compared →
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 DYNA WIDE GLIDE FAQ
Is the HARLEY-DAVIDSON DYNA WIDE GLIDE reliable?
The HARLEY-DAVIDSON DYNA WIDE GLIDE is more reliable than average for its class: 89.9% of its 503 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #988 of 5428 models.
What does a DYNA WIDE GLIDE fail its MOT on most?
lighting and signalling: 29% of all defects recorded against failed DYNA WIDE GLIDE tests.
What is the best year of DYNA WIDE GLIDE to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 1996-registered examples do best (96.5%) and 1997 worst (83.1%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a DYNA WIDE GLIDE last?
The median DYNA WIDE GLIDE shows 23,044 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 87.8% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
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