HARLEY-DAVIDSON VRSCDX

1247cc Petrol Class 2

#1506 of 5426 overall #253 of 397 HARLEY-DAVIDSONs #302 of 465 cruiser bikes

88.3%

first-time pass rate

6.0%

failed outright

6,172

median miles at test

1,704

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2016–2025

The VRSCDX's first-time pass rate has fallen 3.4 points since 2016, 93.5% to 90.1%.

Pass rate by mileage

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

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

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	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

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the VRSCDX 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 VRSCDX.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2007 (90.8% pass). Weakest: 2012 (80.4%).

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

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

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 #1506 of 5426 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 — mileage alone rarely kills one.