Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
HARLEY-DAVIDSON VRSCR
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 VRSCR's first-time pass rate has held steady since 2008 (85.0% → 85.0%).
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage VRSCR passes first time 87.0% of the time; by 20k that's 85.7%.
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 VRSCR
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| brakes |
|
65 | 26.4 | 0.7× |
| lighting and signalling |
|
58 | 23.6 | 0.7× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
35 | 14.2 | 0.9× |
| steering and suspension |
|
20 | 8.1 | 0.3× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
18 | 7.3 | 0.5× |
| reg plates and vin |
|
17 | 6.9 | 1.5× |
| tyres |
|
13 | 5.3 | 1.1× |
| Identification of the vehicle |
|
9 | 3.7 | 2.2× |
| suspension |
|
7 | 2.8 | 0.5× |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
4 | 1.6 | 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 VRSCR 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 VRSCR.
Compare with any bike
More HARLEY-DAVIDSON models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 2008 (89.1%). Lowest: 2005 (86.1%). Every Vrscr 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 VRSCR FAQ
Is the HARLEY-DAVIDSON VRSCR reliable?
The HARLEY-DAVIDSON VRSCR is about average for its class: 86.5% of its 1,804 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2052 of 5428 models.
What does a VRSCR fail its MOT on most?
brakes: 26% of all defects recorded against failed VRSCR tests.
What is the best year of VRSCR to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 2008-registered examples do best (89.1%) and 2007 worst (86.1%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a VRSCR last?
The median VRSCR shows 8,098 miles at test, and examples around 20k miles still pass 85.7% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
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