Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLH
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 FLH's first-time pass rate has held steady since 2006 (88.2% → 89.2%).
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage FLH passes first time 89.8% of the time; by 50k that's 82.4%.
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 FLH
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lighting and signalling |
|
65 | 32.2 | 0.6× |
| brakes |
|
46 | 22.8 | 0.4× |
| steering and suspension |
|
24 | 11.9 | 0.3× |
| reg plates and vin |
|
15 | 7.4 | 1.2× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
13 | 6.4 | 0.3× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
11 | 5.4 | 0.2× |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
10 | 5 | 0.6× |
| driving controls |
|
7 | 3.5 | 1.5× |
| drive system |
|
6 | 3 | 0.4× |
| Identification of the vehicle |
|
5 | 2.5 | 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 FLH 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 FLH.
Compare with any bike
More HARLEY-DAVIDSON models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 1997 (96.9%). Lowest: 1990 (75.0%). Every FLH 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 FLH FAQ
Is the HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLH reliable?
The HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLH is more reliable than average for its class: 89.5% of its 1,942 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1113 of 5428 models.
What does a FLH fail its MOT on most?
lighting and signalling: 32% of all defects recorded against failed FLH tests.
What is the best year of FLH to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 1997-registered examples do best (96.9%) and 1990 worst (75.0%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a FLH last?
The median FLH shows 17,014 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 82.4% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
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