HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHS

1340cc Petrol Class 2

#1575 of 5426 overall #267 of 397 HARLEY-DAVIDSONs #317 of 465 cruiser bikes

88.1%

first-time pass rate

6.2%

failed outright

26,336

median miles at test

1,265

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2025

The FLHS's first-time pass rate has fallen 7.3 points since 2006, 92.3% to 85.0%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the FLHS's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage FLHS passes first time 88.6% of the time; by 50k that's 85.2%.

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 FLHS

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	70	38.7	0.7×
lamps and reflectors	33	18.2	0.9×
brakes	29	16	0.4×
tyres and wheels	10	5.5	0.4×
reg plates and vin	9	5	1.1×
steering and suspension	9	5	0.2×
suspension	8	4.4	0.8×
Identification of the vehicle	5	2.8	1.4×
body and structure	4	2.2	0.7×
fuel and exhaust	4	2.2	0.4×

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

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the FLHS beats 0 of its 4 closest rivals (HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLSTF, HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLSTC, HARLEY-DAVIDSON XL1200C).

HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLSTF 88.9% pass · 30.1k tests HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLSTC 89.4% pass · 23.7k tests HARLEY-DAVIDSON XL1200C 88.4% pass · 15.7k tests HARLEY-DAVIDSON FXDWG 88.7% pass · 14.6k 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 FLHS.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1992 (93.0% pass). Weakest: 1991 (84.3%).

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 FLHS FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHS reliable?

The HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHS is more reliable than average for its class: 88.1% of its 1,265 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1575 of 5426 models.

What does a FLHS fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 39% of all defects recorded against failed FLHS tests.

What is the best year of FLHS to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1992-registered examples do best (93.0%) and 1991 worst (84.3%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a FLHS last?

The median FLHS shows 26,336 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 85.2% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.