HARLEY-DAVIDSON FXDB

1584cc Petrol Class 2

#1506 of 5426 overall #253 of 397 HARLEY-DAVIDSONs #302 of 465 cruiser bikes

88.3%

first-time pass rate

4.8%

failed outright

9,975

median miles at test

8,694

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The FXDB's first-time pass rate has held steady since 2009 (87.3% → 87.8%).

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage FXDB passes first time 89.0% of the time; by 50k that's 76.1%.

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 FXDB

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lamps and reflectors	222	31.1	1.1×
lighting and signalling	119	16.7	0.2×
brakes	79	11.1	0.2×
reg plates and vin	65	9.1	1.0×
fuel and exhaust	42	5.9	0.6×
suspension	40	5.6	0.5×
tyres and wheels	39	5.5	0.2×
tyres	38	5.3	0.6×
Identification of the vehicle	35	4.9	1.7×
structure and attachments	35	4.9	0.5×

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 FXDB 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 FXDB.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2013 (91.3% pass). Weakest: 2012 (83.2%).

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 FXDB FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the HARLEY-DAVIDSON FXDB reliable?

The HARLEY-DAVIDSON FXDB is more reliable than average for its class: 88.3% of its 8,694 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1506 of 5426 models.

What does a FXDB fail its MOT on most?

lamps and reflectors — 31% of all defects recorded against failed FXDB tests.

What is the best year of FXDB to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2013-registered examples do best (91.3%) and 2012 worst (83.2%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a FXDB last?

The median FXDB shows 9,975 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 76.1% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.