Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLSTC HERITAGE SOFTAIL CL
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 FLSTC HERITAGE SOFTAIL CL's first-time pass rate has fallen 5.5 points since 2009, 96.7% to 91.2%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage FLSTC HERITAGE SOFTAIL CL passes first time 91.4% of the time; by 40k that's 79.3%.
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 FLSTC HERITAGE SOFTAIL CL
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| brakes |
|
42 | 22.2 | 0.3× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
40 | 21.2 | 0.8× |
| lighting and signalling |
|
32 | 16.9 | 0.3× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
21 | 11.1 | 0.5× |
| reg plates and vin |
|
19 | 10.1 | 1.3× |
| tyres |
|
16 | 8.5 | 0.8× |
| steering and suspension |
|
7 | 3.7 | 0.1× |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
4 | 2.1 | 0.2× |
| audible warning (Horn) |
|
4 | 2.1 | 0.9× |
| suspension |
|
4 | 2.1 | 0.2× |
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 FLSTC HERITAGE SOFTAIL CL 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 FLSTC HERITAGE SOFTAIL CL.
Compare with any bike
More HARLEY-DAVIDSON models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 2009 (97.7%). Lowest: 2008 (87.3%). Every Flstc Heritage Softail CL 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 FLSTC HERITAGE SOFTAIL CL FAQ
Is the HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLSTC HERITAGE SOFTAIL CL reliable?
The HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLSTC HERITAGE SOFTAIL CL is more reliable than average for its class: 89.9% of its 2,322 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #988 of 5428 models.
What does a FLSTC HERITAGE SOFTAIL CL fail its MOT on most?
brakes: 22% of all defects recorded against failed FLSTC HERITAGE SOFTAIL CL tests.
What is the best year of FLSTC HERITAGE SOFTAIL CL to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 2009-registered examples do best (97.7%) and 2008 worst (87.3%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a FLSTC HERITAGE SOFTAIL CL last?
The median FLSTC HERITAGE SOFTAIL CL shows 14,246 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 79.3% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
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