BIKERELIABILITY
MOT DATA · GREAT BRITAIN · 2005–2025
Model report · 2005–2025
90.2%
first-time pass rate
4.3%
failed outright
18,020
median miles at test
440
MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2011–2016

The FLHTCUSE's first-time pass rate has fallen 8.6 points since 2011, 93.9% to 85.3%.

80%88%97%2011: 93.9% pass (33 tests)2012: 93.8% pass (32 tests)2013: 83.3% pass (36 tests)2014: 88.9% pass (36 tests)2015: 82.9% pass (35 tests)2016: 85.3% pass (34 tests)20112016

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage FLHTCUSE passes first time 92.9% of the time; by 40k that's 88.9%.

84%89%94%0k: 92.9% pass (127 tests)10k: 90.9% pass (110 tests)20k: 90.2% pass (92 tests)30k: 85.4% pass (41 tests)40k: 88.9% pass (45 tests)0k20k40k

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 FLHTCUSE

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded
Component group Share of defects Defects % of defects
brakes
12 34.3
lighting and signalling
7 20
tyres and wheels
5 14.3
lamps and reflectors
3 8.6
steering and suspension
3 8.6
structure and attachments
2 5.7
fuel and exhaust
1 2.9
tyres
1 2.9
Identification of the vehicle
1 2.9

Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects.

How rivals compare

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the FLHTCUSE 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 FLHTCUSE.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2007 (96.0% pass). Weakest: 2006 (89.8%).

89%93%97%2006: 89.8% pass (177 tests)2007: 96.0% pass (100 tests)20062007

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.