HARLEY-DAVIDSON VRSCB

1130cc Petrol Class 2

#1639 of 5426 overall #276 of 397 HARLEY-DAVIDSONs #327 of 465 cruiser bikes

87.9%

first-time pass rate

6.0%

failed outright

8,052

median miles at test

2,187

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2007–2025

The VRSCB's first-time pass rate has risen 6.0 points since 2007, 81.7% to 87.7%.

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage VRSCB passes first time 89.0% of the time; by 30k that's 86.5%.

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 VRSCB

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	76	32.6	0.6×
lamps and reflectors	36	15.5	0.7×
brakes	31	13.3	0.3×
reg plates and vin	26	11.2	1.7×
tyres and wheels	22	9.4	0.4×
fuel and exhaust	12	5.2	0.7×
steering and suspension	11	4.7	0.1×
tyres	10	4.3	0.6×
steering	5	2.1	0.5×
Identification of the vehicle	4	1.7	0.8×

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 VRSCB beats 2 of its 4 closest rivals (TRIUMPH BONNEVILLE, TRIUMPH THUNDERBIRD, HARLEY-DAVIDSON XLH 883).

TRIUMPH BONNEVILLE 89.0% pass · 195k tests 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

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 VRSCB.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2007 (96.7% pass). Weakest: 2004 (87.2%).

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 VRSCB FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the HARLEY-DAVIDSON VRSCB reliable?

The HARLEY-DAVIDSON VRSCB is more reliable than average for its class: 87.9% of its 2,187 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1639 of 5426 models.

What does a VRSCB fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 33% of all defects recorded against failed VRSCB tests.

What is the best year of VRSCB to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2007-registered examples do best (96.7%) and 2005 worst (87.2%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a VRSCB last?

The median VRSCB shows 8,052 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 86.5% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.