HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLS

1690cc Petrol Class 2

#1212 of 5426 overall #194 of 397 HARLEY-DAVIDSONs #234 of 465 cruiser bikes

89.2%

first-time pass rate

5.2%

failed outright

7,191

median miles at test

2,424

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2017–2025

The FLS's first-time pass rate has risen 2.1 points since 2017, 90.0% to 92.1%.

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage FLS passes first time 90.0% of the time; by 30k that's 79.5%.

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 FLS

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lamps and reflectors	84	40.6	1.6×
Identification of the vehicle	36	17.4	6.4×
brakes	35	16.9	0.3×
structure and attachments	14	6.8	0.7×
tyres	10	4.8	0.6×
steering	8	3.9	0.7×
reg plates and vin	6	2.9	0.4×
lighting and signalling	6	2.9	—
suspension	6	2.9	0.3×
fuel and exhaust	2	1	0.1×

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

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the FLS beats 3 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 FLS.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2013 (91.8% pass). Weakest: 2014 (86.3%).

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 FLS FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLS reliable?

The HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLS is more reliable than average for its class: 89.2% of its 2,424 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1212 of 5426 models.

What does a FLS fail its MOT on most?

lamps and reflectors — 41% of all defects recorded against failed FLS tests.

What is the best year of FLS to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2013-registered examples do best (91.8%) and 2014 worst (86.3%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a FLS last?

The median FLS shows 7,191 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 79.5% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.