HARLEY-DAVIDSON XL 1200 LOW SPORTSTER

1200cc Petrol Class 2

#823 of 5426 overall #127 of 397 HARLEY-DAVIDSONs #158 of 465 cruiser bikes

90.4%

first-time pass rate

4.5%

failed outright

8,973

median miles at test

3,435

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2009–2025

The XL 1200 LOW SPORTSTER's first-time pass rate has fallen 5.1 points since 2009, 93.5% to 88.4%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the XL 1200 LOW SPORTSTER's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage XL 1200 LOW SPORTSTER passes first time 92.2% of the time; by 40k that's 82.4%.

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 LOW SPORTSTER

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lamps and reflectors	50	20.3	0.7×
reg plates and vin	44	17.9	1.5×
lighting and signalling	41	16.7	0.3×
brakes	33	13.4	0.2×
structure and attachments	20	8.1	0.7×
tyres and wheels	19	7.7	0.2×
tyres	13	5.3	0.5×
Identification of the vehicle	10	4.1	1.3×
fuel and exhaust	8	3.3	0.3×
suspension	8	3.3	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 LOW SPORTSTER beats 4 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 LOW SPORTSTER.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2006 (91.9% pass). Weakest: 2008 (88.0%).

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 LOW SPORTSTER FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the HARLEY-DAVIDSON XL 1200 LOW SPORTSTER reliable?

The HARLEY-DAVIDSON XL 1200 LOW SPORTSTER is more reliable than average for its class: 90.4% of its 3,435 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #823 of 5426 models.

What does a XL 1200 LOW SPORTSTER fail its MOT on most?

lamps and reflectors — 20% of all defects recorded against failed XL 1200 LOW SPORTSTER tests.

What is the best year of XL 1200 LOW SPORTSTER to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2006-registered examples do best (91.9%) and 2008 worst (88.0%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a XL 1200 LOW SPORTSTER last?

The median XL 1200 LOW SPORTSTER shows 8,973 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 82.4% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.