BIKERELIABILITY
MOT DATA · GREAT BRITAIN · 2005–2025
League table/ HARLEY-DAVIDSON/FXSTC SOFTAIL CUSTOM
Model report · 2005–2025

HARLEY-DAVIDSON FXSTC SOFTAIL CUSTOM

1584cc Petrol Class 2
86.2%
first-time pass rate
4.1%
failed outright
11,515
median miles at test
414
MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2011–2015

The FXSTC SOFTAIL CUSTOM's first-time pass rate has fallen 3.8 points since 2011, 88.6% to 84.8%.

79%85%91%2011: 88.6% pass (35 tests)2012: 84.2% pass (38 tests)2013: 80.6% pass (31 tests)2014: 87.1% pass (31 tests)2015: 84.8% pass (33 tests)20112015

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage FXSTC SOFTAIL CUSTOM passes first time 90.3% of the time; by 30k that's 88.9%.

77%85%93%0k: 90.3% pass (185 tests)10k: 86.3% pass (124 tests)20k: 79.2% pass (48 tests)30k: 88.9% pass (36 tests)0k20k30k

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 FXSTC SOFTAIL CUSTOM

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded
Component group Share of defects Defects % of defects
brakes
8 25
tyres and wheels
6 18.8
lamps and reflectors
6 18.8
lighting and signalling
3 9.4
reg plates and vin
2 6.2
Identification of the vehicle
2 6.2
structure and attachments
2 6.2
fuel and exhaust
1 3.1
tyres
1 3.1
steering and suspension
1 3.1

Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects.

How rivals compare

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the FXSTC SOFTAIL CUSTOM 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 FXSTC SOFTAIL CUSTOM.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2008 (87.9% pass). Weakest: 2007 (84.4%).

84%86%89%2007: 84.4% pass (147 tests)2008: 87.9% pass (173 tests)20072008

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.