HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLSTF FAT BOY

1584cc Petrol Class 2

#1722 of 5426 overall #291 of 397 HARLEY-DAVIDSONs #344 of 465 cruiser bikes

87.6%

first-time pass rate

5.5%

failed outright

11,845

median miles at test

1,407

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2009–2025

The FLSTF FAT BOY's first-time pass rate has fallen 4.2 points since 2009, 93.9% to 89.7%.

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage FLSTF FAT BOY passes first time 89.4% of the time; by 40k that's 72.2%.

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 FLSTF FAT BOY

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	38	27.7	0.4×
brakes	26	19	0.3×
lamps and reflectors	25	18.2	0.9×
tyres and wheels	12	8.8	0.4×
reg plates and vin	12	8.8	1.2×
steering and suspension	12	8.8	0.2×
fuel and exhaust	4	2.9	0.4×
tyres	4	2.9	0.4×
Identification of the vehicle	3	2.2	0.9×
body and structure	1	0.7	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 FLSTF FAT BOY beats 0 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 FLSTF FAT BOY.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2009 (94.0% pass). Weakest: 2006 (84.9%).

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.

HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLSTF FAT BOY FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLSTF FAT BOY reliable?

The HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLSTF FAT BOY is more reliable than average for its class: 87.6% of its 1,407 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1722 of 5426 models.

What does a FLSTF FAT BOY fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 28% of all defects recorded against failed FLSTF FAT BOY tests.

What is the best year of FLSTF FAT BOY to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2009-registered examples do best (94.0%) and 2006 worst (84.9%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a FLSTF FAT BOY last?

The median FLSTF FAT BOY shows 11,845 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 72.2% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.