HARLEY-DAVIDSON V ROD

1247cc Petrol Class 2

#1400 of 5426 overall #228 of 397 HARLEY-DAVIDSONs #276 of 465 cruiser bikes

88.6%

first-time pass rate

5.8%

failed outright

9,617

median miles at test

925

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2010–2025

The V ROD's first-time pass rate has risen 4.1 points since 2010, 81.0% to 85.1%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the V ROD's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage V ROD passes first time 90.5% of the time; by 20k that's 87.9%.

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 V ROD

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lamps and reflectors	26	26.3	1.2×
lighting and signalling	21	21.2	0.4×
Identification of the vehicle	10	10.1	4.7×
reg plates and vin	10	10.1	1.5×
brakes	9	9.1	0.2×
tyres and wheels	6	6.1	0.3×
steering and suspension	5	5.1	0.1×
structure and attachments	5	5.1	0.6×
suspension	4	4	0.4×
audible warning (Horn)	3	3	1.8×

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

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the V ROD beats 2 of its 4 closest rivals (TRIUMPH THUNDERBIRD, HARLEY-DAVIDSON XLH 883, HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLSTF).

TRIUMPH THUNDERBIRD 87.8% pass · 56.3k tests HARLEY-DAVIDSON XLH 883 87.4% pass · 41.2k tests HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLSTF 88.9% pass · 30.1k tests HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLSTC 89.4% pass · 23.7k tests

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 V ROD.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2008 (96.4% pass). Weakest: 2009 (82.9%).

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 V ROD FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the HARLEY-DAVIDSON V ROD reliable?

The HARLEY-DAVIDSON V ROD is more reliable than average for its class: 88.6% of its 925 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1400 of 5426 models.

What does a V ROD fail its MOT on most?

lamps and reflectors — 26% of all defects recorded against failed V ROD tests.

What is the best year of V ROD to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2008-registered examples do best (96.4%) and 2009 worst (82.9%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a V ROD last?

The median V ROD shows 9,617 miles at test, and examples around 20k miles still pass 87.9% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.