Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
HARLEY-DAVIDSON SOFTAIL
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 SOFTAIL's first-time pass rate has risen 5.0 points since 2006, 84.4% to 89.4%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage SOFTAIL passes first time 87.5% of the time; by 50k that's 79.1%.
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 SOFTAIL
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lighting and signalling |
|
53 | 29.9 | 0.4× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
43 | 24.3 | 0.9× |
| brakes |
|
23 | 13 | 0.3× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
12 | 6.8 | 0.4× |
| Identification of the vehicle |
|
12 | 6.8 | 3.0× |
| steering and suspension |
|
10 | 5.6 | 0.2× |
| reg plates and vin |
|
8 | 4.5 | 0.8× |
| steering |
|
7 | 4 | 0.9× |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
5 | 2.8 | 0.4× |
| suspension |
|
4 | 2.3 | 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
On first-time pass rate the SOFTAIL 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 SOFTAIL.
Compare with any bike
More HARLEY-DAVIDSON models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 2013 (94.8%). Lowest: 2006 (71.2%). Every Softail 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 SOFTAIL FAQ
Is the HARLEY-DAVIDSON SOFTAIL reliable?
The HARLEY-DAVIDSON SOFTAIL is about average for its class: 85.7% of its 1,614 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2308 of 5428 models.
What does a SOFTAIL fail its MOT on most?
lighting and signalling: 30% of all defects recorded against failed SOFTAIL tests.
What is the best year of SOFTAIL to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 2013-registered examples do best (94.8%) and 2006 worst (71.2%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a SOFTAIL last?
The median SOFTAIL shows 15,496 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 79.1% 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 Softail reliability card that stays up to date and links back here. More on the free API page.