Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
HARLEY-DAVIDSON VRSCDX
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 VRSCDX's first-time pass rate has fallen 3.4 points since 2016, 93.5% to 90.1%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage VRSCDX passes first time 89.0% of the time; by 20k that's 90.1%.
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 VRSCDX
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lamps and reflectors |
|
67 | 36.6 | 1.8× |
| brakes |
|
25 | 13.7 | 0.3× |
| Identification of the vehicle |
|
25 | 13.7 | 6.4× |
| tyres |
|
13 | 7.1 | 1.1× |
| structure and attachments |
|
12 | 6.6 | 1.0× |
| suspension |
|
11 | 6 | 0.8× |
| lighting and signalling |
|
10 | 5.5 | 0.1× |
| reg plates and vin |
|
10 | 5.5 | 0.6× |
| steering |
|
7 | 3.8 | 1.0× |
| steering and suspension |
|
3 | 1.6 | 0.1× |
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 VRSCDX beats 2 of its 4 closest rivals (TRIUMPH THUNDERBIRD, HARLEY-DAVIDSON XLH 883, HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLSTF).
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 VRSCDX.
Compare with any bike
More HARLEY-DAVIDSON models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 2007 (90.8%). Lowest: 2012 (80.4%). Every Vrscdx 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 VRSCDX FAQ
Is the HARLEY-DAVIDSON VRSCDX reliable?
The HARLEY-DAVIDSON VRSCDX is more reliable than average for its class: 88.3% of its 1,704 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1505 of 5428 models.
What does a VRSCDX fail its MOT on most?
lamps and reflectors: 37% of all defects recorded against failed VRSCDX tests.
What is the best year of VRSCDX to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 2007-registered examples do best (90.8%) and 2012 worst (80.4%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a VRSCDX last?
The median VRSCDX shows 6,172 miles at test, and examples around 20k miles still pass 90.1% 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 Vrscdx reliability card that stays up to date and links back here. More on the free API page.