HARLEY-DAVIDSON XL 1200 C CUSTOM SPORT

1200cc Petrol Class 2

#1575 of 5426 overall #267 of 397 HARLEY-DAVIDSONs #317 of 465 cruiser bikes

88.1%

first-time pass rate

5.3%

failed outright

9,922

median miles at test

13.9k

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2005–2025

The XL 1200 C CUSTOM SPORT's first-time pass rate has held steady since 2005 (90.6% → 91.4%).

Pass rate by mileage

how the XL 1200 C CUSTOM SPORT's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage XL 1200 C CUSTOM SPORT passes first time 89.8% of the time; by 50k that's 89.2%.

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 XL 1200 C CUSTOM SPORT

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	298	23.2	0.4×
brakes	188	14.6	0.2×
lamps and reflectors	177	13.8	0.5×
reg plates and vin	168	13.1	1.5×
tyres and wheels	138	10.7	0.5×
fuel and exhaust	107	8.3	0.9×
steering and suspension	79	6.2	0.2×
Identification of the vehicle	53	4.1	1.7×
tyres	43	3.3	0.4×
structure and attachments	33	2.6	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

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the XL 1200 C CUSTOM SPORT beats 2 of its 4 closest rivals (TRIUMPH BONNEVILLE, TRIUMPH THUNDERBIRD, HARLEY-DAVIDSON XLH 883).

TRIUMPH BONNEVILLE 89.0% pass · 195k tests 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

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 XL 1200 C CUSTOM SPORT.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2010 (91.1% pass). Weakest: 1997 (83.1%).

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 XL 1200 C CUSTOM SPORT FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the HARLEY-DAVIDSON XL 1200 C CUSTOM SPORT reliable?

The HARLEY-DAVIDSON XL 1200 C CUSTOM SPORT is more reliable than average for its class: 88.1% of its 13,905 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1575 of 5426 models.

What does a XL 1200 C CUSTOM SPORT fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 23% of all defects recorded against failed XL 1200 C CUSTOM SPORT tests.

What is the best year of XL 1200 C CUSTOM SPORT to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2010-registered examples do best (91.1%) and 1997 worst (83.1%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a XL 1200 C CUSTOM SPORT last?

The median XL 1200 C CUSTOM SPORT shows 9,922 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 89.2% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.