HARLEY-DAVIDSON VRSCSE

1250cc Petrol Class 2

#1448 of 5426 overall #242 of 397 HARLEY-DAVIDSONs #290 of 465 cruiser bikes

88.5%

first-time pass rate

4.1%

failed outright

7,466

median miles at test

443

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage VRSCSE passes first time 90.5% of the time; by 20k that's 74.2%.

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 VRSCSE

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects
lamps and reflectors	10	30.3
lighting and signalling	6	18.2
structure and attachments	4	12.1
brakes	3	9.1
tyres and wheels	3	9.1
reg plates and vin	2	6.1
tyres	2	6.1
Identification of the vehicle	1	3
fuel and exhaust	1	3
steering	1	3

Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects.

How rivals compare

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the VRSCSE 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 VRSCSE.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2006 (88.8% pass). Weakest: 2005 (84.6%).

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.