HARLEY-DAVIDSON FL
Pass rate over time
The FL's first-time pass rate has risen 3.8 points since 2006, 83.7% to 87.5%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage FL passes first time 91.4% of the time; by 30k that's 91.7%.
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 FL
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lighting and signalling |
|
25 | 35.7 | 0.6× |
| brakes |
|
18 | 25.7 | 0.5× |
| steering and suspension |
|
13 | 18.6 | 0.4× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
4 | 5.7 | 0.3× |
| Identification of the vehicle |
|
3 | 4.3 | 2.0× |
| reg plates and vin |
|
2 | 2.9 | 0.5× |
| drive system |
|
2 | 2.9 | 0.4× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
1 | 1.4 | 0.1× |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
1 | 1.4 | 0.2× |
| audible warning (Horn) |
|
1 | 1.4 | 0.8× |
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 FL beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (TRIUMPH BONNEVILLE, TRIUMPH THUNDERBIRD, HARLEY-DAVIDSON XLH 883).
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 FL.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON FL FAQ
Is the HARLEY-DAVIDSON FL reliable?
The HARLEY-DAVIDSON FL is more reliable than average for its class: 89.6% of its 655 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1075 of 5426 models.
What does a FL fail its MOT on most?
lighting and signalling — 36% of all defects recorded against failed FL tests.
How many miles will a FL last?
The median FL shows 6,277 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 91.7% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.