HARLEY-DAVIDSON FXDS
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage FXDS passes first time 95.7% of the time; by 30k that's 89.7%.
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 FXDS
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects |
|---|---|---|---|
| lamps and reflectors |
|
7 | 36.8 |
| steering and suspension |
|
3 | 15.8 |
| lighting and signalling |
|
2 | 10.5 |
| suspension |
|
2 | 10.5 |
| Identification of the vehicle |
|
1 | 5.3 |
| tyres |
|
1 | 5.3 |
| brakes |
|
1 | 5.3 |
| steering |
|
1 | 5.3 |
| structure and attachments |
|
1 | 5.3 |
Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects.
How rivals compare
On first-time pass rate the FXDS beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLSTF, HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLSTC, HARLEY-DAVIDSON XL1200C).
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 FXDS.
Pass rate by registration year
Best year to buy used: 1998 (93.4% pass). Weakest: 1998 (93.4%).
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.