Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
HARLEY-DAVIDSON FXDXT
The pass rate is the MOT first-time pass: a roadworthiness check of the items an MOT covers (brakes, lights, tyres, steering, structure, emissions), not a full mechanical inspection of engine or gearbox internals. It is a reliability signal, not a complete measure of mechanical reliability. What this measures.
“vs expected” adjusts for age, mileage and test class, so a cherished classic and a hard-used commuter are compared fairly. How this works.
Pass rate over time
The FXDXT's first-time pass rate has risen 5.0 points since 2006, 91.8% to 96.8%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage FXDXT passes first time 95.6% of the time; by 30k that's 90.6%.
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 FXDXT
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| brakes |
|
13 | 26 | 0.5× |
| lighting and signalling |
|
11 | 22 | 0.3× |
| reg plates and vin |
|
6 | 12 | 1.1× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
4 | 8 | 0.2× |
| tyres |
|
4 | 8 | 0.7× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
3 | 6 | 0.2× |
| steering and suspension |
|
3 | 6 | 0.1× |
| Identification of the vehicle |
|
2 | 4 | 1.4× |
| steering |
|
2 | 4 | 0.8× |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
2 | 4 | 0.4× |
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
On first-time pass rate the FXDXT 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 FXDXT.
Compare with any bike
More HARLEY-DAVIDSON models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 2003 (97.4%). Lowest: 2002 (86.9%). Every Fxdxt year compared →
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 FXDXT FAQ
Is the HARLEY-DAVIDSON FXDXT reliable?
The HARLEY-DAVIDSON FXDXT is more reliable than average for its class: 91.3% of its 623 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #619 of 5428 models.
What does a FXDXT fail its MOT on most?
brakes: 26% of all defects recorded against failed FXDXT tests.
What is the best year of FXDXT to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 2003-registered examples do best (97.4%) and 2002 worst (86.9%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a FXDXT last?
The median FXDXT shows 16,686 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 90.6% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
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