Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
HARLEY-DAVIDSON WIDE GLIDE
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 WIDE GLIDE's first-time pass rate has risen 3.8 points since 2017, 87.3% to 91.1%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage WIDE GLIDE passes first time 90.9% of the time; by 40k that's 93.2%.
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 WIDE GLIDE
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lamps and reflectors |
|
21 | 30 | 1.2× |
| lighting and signalling |
|
15 | 21.4 | 0.3× |
| structure and attachments |
|
9 | 12.9 | 1.8× |
| brakes |
|
8 | 11.4 | 0.3× |
| reg plates and vin |
|
6 | 8.6 | 1.2× |
| steering |
|
3 | 4.3 | 1.0× |
| Identification of the vehicle |
|
2 | 2.9 | 1.2× |
| audible warning (Horn) |
|
2 | 2.9 | 1.5× |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
2 | 2.9 | 0.4× |
| steering and suspension |
|
2 | 2.9 | 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
On first-time pass rate the WIDE GLIDE beats 1 of its 4 closest rivals (HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLSTF, HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLSTC, HARLEY-DAVIDSON XL1200C).
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 WIDE GLIDE.
Compare with any bike
More HARLEY-DAVIDSON models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 1996 (89.4%). Lowest: 1995 (87.3%). Every Wide Glide 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 WIDE GLIDE FAQ
Is the HARLEY-DAVIDSON WIDE GLIDE reliable?
The HARLEY-DAVIDSON WIDE GLIDE is more reliable than average for its class: 88.6% of its 748 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1402 of 5428 models.
What does a WIDE GLIDE fail its MOT on most?
lamps and reflectors: 30% of all defects recorded against failed WIDE GLIDE tests.
What is the best year of WIDE GLIDE to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 1996-registered examples do best (89.4%) and 1995 worst (87.3%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a WIDE GLIDE last?
The median WIDE GLIDE shows 11,207 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 93.2% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
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