BIKERELIABILITY
MOT DATA · GREAT BRITAIN · 2005–2025
League table/ HARLEY-DAVIDSON/XL 1200 C CUSTOM SPORTSTER 19
Model report · 2005–2025

HARLEY-DAVIDSON XL 1200 C CUSTOM SPORTSTER 19

1202cc Petrol Class 2
90.7%
first-time pass rate
3.0%
failed outright
4,234
median miles at test
237
MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2022–2025

The XL 1200 C CUSTOM SPORTSTER 19's first-time pass rate has held steady since 2022 (93.4% → 92.6%).

85%90%95%2022: 93.4% pass (61 tests)2023: 88.9% pass (72 tests)2024: 87.0% pass (46 tests)2025: 92.6% pass (54 tests)20222025

What fails on a XL 1200 C CUSTOM SPORTSTER 19

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded
Component group Share of defects Defects % of defects
lamps and reflectors
6 46.2
structure and attachments
4 30.8
Identification of the vehicle
1 7.7
brakes
1 7.7
tyres
1 7.7

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 XL 1200 C CUSTOM SPORTSTER 19 beats 4 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 XL 1200 C CUSTOM SPORTSTER 19.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2019 (89.4% pass). Weakest: 2019 (89.4%).

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.