HARLEY-DAVIDSON vrscf

1247cc Petrol Class 2

#1303 of 5426 overall #211 of 397 HARLEY-DAVIDSONs #254 of 465 cruiser bikes

88.9%

first-time pass rate

5.9%

failed outright

5,652

median miles at test

1,051

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2017–2025

The vrscf's first-time pass rate has held steady since 2017 (88.0% → 89.0%).

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage vrscf passes first time 90.6% of the time; by 20k that's 83.3%.

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 vrscf

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lamps and reflectors	35	32.4	1.2×
Identification of the vehicle	17	15.7	7.0×
brakes	16	14.8	0.3×
lighting and signalling	11	10.2	0.1×
tyres	9	8.3	1.3×
structure and attachments	7	6.5	1.0×
steering	4	3.7	0.9×
reg plates and vin	4	3.7	0.7×
steering and suspension	3	2.8	0.1×
fuel and exhaust	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

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the vrscf 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 vrscf.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2010 (93.9% pass). Weakest: 2013 (78.2%).

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 vrscf FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the HARLEY-DAVIDSON vrscf reliable?

The HARLEY-DAVIDSON vrscf is more reliable than average for its class: 88.9% of its 1,051 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1303 of 5426 models.

What does a vrscf fail its MOT on most?

lamps and reflectors — 32% of all defects recorded against failed vrscf tests.

What is the best year of vrscf to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2010-registered examples do best (93.9%) and 2013 worst (78.2%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a vrscf last?

The median vrscf shows 5,652 miles at test, and examples around 20k miles still pass 83.3% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.