Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
HARLEY-DAVIDSON VRSCDX NIGHT ROD SPECIAL
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 NIGHT ROD SPECIAL's first-time pass rate has risen 10.5 points since 2010, 83.3% to 93.8%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage VRSCDX NIGHT ROD SPECIAL passes first time 87.3% of the time; by 30k that's 82.1%.
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 NIGHT ROD SPECIAL
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lighting and signalling |
|
36 | 33.3 | 0.7× |
| reg plates and vin |
|
24 | 22.2 | 2.8× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
20 | 18.5 | 0.6× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
8 | 7.4 | 0.3× |
| brakes |
|
6 | 5.6 | 0.1× |
| steering and suspension |
|
4 | 3.7 | 0.1× |
| Identification of the vehicle |
|
3 | 2.8 | 1.2× |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
3 | 2.8 | 0.4× |
| suspension |
|
2 | 1.9 | 0.3× |
| tyres |
|
2 | 1.9 | 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 VRSCDX NIGHT ROD SPECIAL beats 0 of its 4 closest rivals (TRIUMPH BONNEVILLE, TRIUMPH THUNDERBIRD, HARLEY-DAVIDSON XLH 883).
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 NIGHT ROD SPECIAL.
Compare with any bike
More HARLEY-DAVIDSON models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 2006 (90.9%). Lowest: 2007 (85.3%). Every Vrscdx Night Rod Special 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 NIGHT ROD SPECIAL FAQ
Is the HARLEY-DAVIDSON VRSCDX NIGHT ROD SPECIAL reliable?
The HARLEY-DAVIDSON VRSCDX NIGHT ROD SPECIAL is more reliable than average for its class: 87.3% of its 1,050 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1818 of 5428 models.
What does a VRSCDX NIGHT ROD SPECIAL fail its MOT on most?
lighting and signalling: 33% of all defects recorded against failed VRSCDX NIGHT ROD SPECIAL tests.
What is the best year of VRSCDX NIGHT ROD SPECIAL to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 2006-registered examples do best (90.9%) and 2007 worst (85.3%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a VRSCDX NIGHT ROD SPECIAL last?
The median VRSCDX NIGHT ROD SPECIAL shows 9,074 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 82.1% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
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