Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
HARLEY-DAVIDSON XL 1200 X FORTY EIGHT 17
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 XL 1200 X FORTY EIGHT 17's first-time pass rate has held steady since 2019 (85.0% → 85.6%).
Pass rate by mileage
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
| Component group | Share of defects | 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
On first-time pass rate the XL 1200 X FORTY EIGHT 17 beats 2 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 X FORTY EIGHT 17.
Compare with any bike
More HARLEY-DAVIDSON models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 2018 (90.3%). Lowest: 2016 (86.3%). Every XL 1200 X Forty Eight 17 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 XL 1200 X FORTY EIGHT 17 FAQ
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 5428 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, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
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