Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTC-U
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 FLHTC-U's first-time pass rate has risen 7.5 points since 2006, 85.7% to 93.2%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage FLHTC-U passes first time 90.7% of the time; by 50k that's 85.0%.
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 FLHTC-U
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lighting and signalling |
|
51 | 23.4 | 0.4× |
| brakes |
|
48 | 22 | 0.4× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
35 | 16.1 | 0.7× |
| steering and suspension |
|
26 | 11.9 | 0.3× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
15 | 6.9 | 0.4× |
| tyres |
|
13 | 6 | 0.9× |
| reg plates and vin |
|
13 | 6 | 0.8× |
| structure and attachments |
|
6 | 2.8 | 0.2× |
| suspension |
|
6 | 2.8 | 0.3× |
| steering |
|
5 | 2.3 | 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
On first-time pass rate the FLHTC-U 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 FLHTC-U.
Compare with any bike
More HARLEY-DAVIDSON models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 2006 (93.4%). Lowest: 1990 (83.3%). Every Flhtc-U 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 FLHTC-U FAQ
Is the HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTC-U reliable?
The HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTC-U is more reliable than average for its class: 90.6% of its 2,146 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #776 of 5428 models.
What does a FLHTC-U fail its MOT on most?
lighting and signalling: 23% of all defects recorded against failed FLHTC-U tests.
What is the best year of FLHTC-U to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 2006-registered examples do best (93.4%) and 1990 worst (83.3%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a FLHTC-U last?
The median FLHTC-U shows 23,205 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 85.0% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
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