BIKERELIABILITY
MOT DATA · GREAT BRITAIN · 2005–2025
Model report · 2005–2025
92.8%
first-time pass rate
3.7%
failed outright
10,381
median miles at test
486
MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The FLSTNSE's first-time pass rate has risen 8.7 points since 2017, 85.7% to 94.4%.

83%91%100%2017: 85.7% pass (35 tests)2018: 89.1% pass (55 tests)2019: 91.8% pass (49 tests)2020: 89.6% pass (48 tests)2021: 92.2% pass (64 tests)2022: 94.1% pass (68 tests)2023: 96.9% pass (64 tests)2024: 97.9% pass (47 tests)2025: 94.4% pass (54 tests)20172025

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage FLSTNSE passes first time 90.7% of the time; by 20k that's 94.4%.

90%93%95%0k: 90.7% pass (227 tests)10k: 94.1% pass (187 tests)20k: 94.4% pass (54 tests)0k10k20k

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 FLSTNSE

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded
Component group Share of defects Defects % of defects
brakes
9 37.5
suspension
3 12.5
lamps and reflectors
3 12.5
tyres
3 12.5
Identification of the vehicle
2 8.3
structure and attachments
2 8.3
steering and suspension
1 4.2
reg plates and vin
1 4.2

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 FLSTNSE beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLSTF, HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLSTC, TRIUMPH ROCKET III).

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 FLSTNSE.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2014 (93.2% pass). Weakest: 2015 (92.3%).

92%93%94%2014: 93.2% pass (234 tests)2015: 92.3% pass (247 tests)20142015

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.