HARLEY-DAVIDSON XL 1200 X FORTY EIGHT 17

1202cc Petrol Class 2

#1269 of 5426 overall #204 of 397 HARLEY-DAVIDSONs #246 of 465 cruiser bikes

89.0%

first-time pass rate

4.9%

failed outright

5,244

median miles at test

2,349

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2019–2025

The XL 1200 X FORTY EIGHT 17's first-time pass rate has held steady since 2019 (85.0% → 85.6%).

Pass rate by mileage

how the XL 1200 X FORTY EIGHT 17's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage XL 1200 X FORTY EIGHT 17 passes first time 88.6% of the time; by 20k that's 83.0%.

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 X FORTY EIGHT 17

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lamps and reflectors	122	53.5	2.1×
Identification of the vehicle	36	15.8	6.3×
structure and attachments	28	12.3	1.7×
suspension	23	10.1	1.2×
tyres	9	3.9	0.6×
brakes	6	2.6	0.1×
audible warning (Horn)	2	0.9	0.5×
wheels	1	0.4	0.7×
steering	1	0.4	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

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the XL 1200 X FORTY EIGHT 17 beats 3 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 X FORTY EIGHT 17.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2018 (90.3% pass). Weakest: 2016 (86.3%).

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 X FORTY EIGHT 17 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the HARLEY-DAVIDSON XL 1200 X FORTY EIGHT 17 reliable?

The HARLEY-DAVIDSON XL 1200 X FORTY EIGHT 17 is more reliable than average for its class: 89.0% of its 2,349 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1269 of 5426 models.

What does a XL 1200 X FORTY EIGHT 17 fail its MOT on most?

lamps and reflectors — 54% of all defects recorded against failed XL 1200 X FORTY EIGHT 17 tests.

What is the best year of XL 1200 X FORTY EIGHT 17 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2018-registered examples do best (90.3%) and 2016 worst (86.3%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a XL 1200 X FORTY EIGHT 17 last?

The median XL 1200 X FORTY EIGHT 17 shows 5,244 miles at test, and examples around 20k miles still pass 83.0% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.