HARLEY-DAVIDSON FXDBI

1449cc Petrol Class 2

#1854 of 5426 overall #318 of 397 HARLEY-DAVIDSONs #372 of 465 cruiser bikes

87.2%

first-time pass rate

5.9%

failed outright

12,562

median miles at test

3,189

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The FXDBI's first-time pass rate has risen 3.9 points since 2009, 86.6% to 90.5%.

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage FXDBI passes first time 88.6% of the time; by 50k that's 90.0%.

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 FXDBI

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	65	20.4	0.4×
lamps and reflectors	52	16.4	0.8×
reg plates and vin	49	15.4	1.9×
brakes	41	12.9	0.3×
fuel and exhaust	29	9.1	1.1×
tyres and wheels	27	8.5	0.4×
steering and suspension	18	5.7	0.2×
Identification of the vehicle	17	5.3	2.3×
tyres	11	3.5	0.4×
steering	9	2.8	0.7×

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 FXDBI 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 FXDBI.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2006 (87.8% pass). Weakest: 2005 (82.3%).

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 FXDBI FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the HARLEY-DAVIDSON FXDBI reliable?

The HARLEY-DAVIDSON FXDBI is more reliable than average for its class: 87.2% of its 3,189 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1854 of 5426 models.

What does a FXDBI fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 20% of all defects recorded against failed FXDBI tests.

What is the best year of FXDBI to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2006-registered examples do best (87.8%) and 2005 worst (82.3%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a FXDBI last?

The median FXDBI shows 12,562 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 90.0% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.