HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLS SOFTAIL SLIM 1690 17
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 FLS SOFTAIL SLIM 1690 17's first-time pass rate has risen 11.1 points since 2020, 88.9% to 100.0%.
What fails on a FLS SOFTAIL SLIM 1690 17
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects |
|---|---|---|---|
| lamps and reflectors |
|
5 | 31.2 |
| brakes |
|
4 | 25 |
| Identification of the vehicle |
|
3 | 18.8 |
| structure and attachments |
|
2 | 12.5 |
| tyres |
|
2 | 12.5 |
Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects.
How rivals compare
On first-time pass rate the FLS SOFTAIL SLIM 1690 17 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 FLS SOFTAIL SLIM 1690 17.
Compare with any bike
More HARLEY-DAVIDSON models
Pass rate by registration year
Best year to buy used: 2017 (95.6% pass). Weakest: 2018 (92.9%).
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.
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