Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
HARLEY-DAVIDSON FXS
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 FXS's first-time pass rate has risen 7.9 points since 2006, 84.2% to 92.1%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage FXS passes first time 89.8% of the time; by 40k that's 86.7%.
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 FXS
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lighting and signalling |
|
25 | 32.9 | 0.7× |
| brakes |
|
19 | 25 | 0.5× |
| steering and suspension |
|
7 | 9.2 | 0.4× |
| reg plates and vin |
|
6 | 7.9 | 1.6× |
| drive system |
|
5 | 6.6 | 0.8× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
4 | 5.3 | 0.2× |
| Identification of the vehicle |
|
3 | 3.9 | 1.9× |
| body and structure |
|
3 | 3.9 | 0.9× |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
2 | 2.6 | 0.4× |
| structure and attachments |
|
2 | 2.6 | 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 FXS beats 0 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 FXS.
Compare with any bike
More HARLEY-DAVIDSON models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 1980 (95.3%). Lowest: 2011 (80.5%). Every FXS 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 FXS FAQ
Is the HARLEY-DAVIDSON FXS reliable?
The HARLEY-DAVIDSON FXS is more reliable than average for its class: 88.3% of its 669 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1505 of 5428 models.
What does a FXS fail its MOT on most?
lighting and signalling: 33% of all defects recorded against failed FXS tests.
What is the best year of FXS to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 1980-registered examples do best (95.3%) and 2011 worst (80.5%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a FXS last?
The median FXS shows 16,027 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 86.7% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
Embed this bike
Free to embed on your site, blog or forum: a live Harley-Davidson FXS reliability card that stays up to date and links back here. More on the free API page.