HARLEY-DAVIDSON FXDLI

1450cc Petrol Class 2

#1212 of 5426 overall #194 of 397 HARLEY-DAVIDSONs #234 of 465 cruiser bikes

89.2%

first-time pass rate

4.7%

failed outright

12,820

median miles at test

2,584

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2007–2025

The FXDLI's first-time pass rate has risen 2.8 points since 2007, 85.7% to 88.5%.

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage FXDLI passes first time 89.7% of the time; by 50k that's 77.8%.

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 FXDLI

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lamps and reflectors	49	23.7	0.6×
lighting and signalling	45	21.7	0.4×
reg plates and vin	28	13.5	1.6×
brakes	26	12.6	0.2×
tyres and wheels	13	6.3	0.2×
fuel and exhaust	13	6.3	0.6×
Identification of the vehicle	10	4.8	1.7×
tyres	9	4.3	0.5×
steering and suspension	8	3.9	0.1×
suspension	6	2.9	0.3×

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 FXDLI beats 3 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 FXDLI.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2003 (92.2% pass). Weakest: 2006 (86.5%).

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 FXDLI FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the HARLEY-DAVIDSON FXDLI reliable?

The HARLEY-DAVIDSON FXDLI is more reliable than average for its class: 89.2% of its 2,584 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1212 of 5426 models.

What does a FXDLI fail its MOT on most?

lamps and reflectors — 24% of all defects recorded against failed FXDLI tests.

What is the best year of FXDLI to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2003-registered examples do best (92.2%) and 2006 worst (86.5%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a FXDLI last?

The median FXDLI shows 12,820 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 77.8% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.