HARLEY-DAVIDSON XL 1200 X FORTY EIGHT 18

1202cc Petrol Class 2

#1818 of 5426 overall #311 of 397 HARLEY-DAVIDSONs #364 of 465 cruiser bikes

87.3%

first-time pass rate

5.1%

failed outright

4,156

median miles at test

1,177

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2021–2025

The XL 1200 X FORTY EIGHT 18's first-time pass rate has risen 7.5 points since 2021, 82.6% to 90.1%.

What fails on a XL 1200 X FORTY EIGHT 18

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lamps and reflectors	55	48.2	2.1×
Identification of the vehicle	29	25.4	10.7×
structure and attachments	14	12.3	1.6×
brakes	7	6.1	0.1×
tyres	4	3.5	0.5×
audible warning (Horn)	3	2.6	1.4×
steering	1	0.9	0.2×
suspension	1	0.9	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 18 beats 0 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 18.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2019 (90.7% pass). Weakest: 2018 (86.9%).

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 18 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the HARLEY-DAVIDSON XL 1200 X FORTY EIGHT 18 reliable?

The HARLEY-DAVIDSON XL 1200 X FORTY EIGHT 18 is more reliable than average for its class: 87.3% of its 1,177 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1818 of 5426 models.

What does a XL 1200 X FORTY EIGHT 18 fail its MOT on most?

lamps and reflectors — 48% of all defects recorded against failed XL 1200 X FORTY EIGHT 18 tests.

What is the best year of XL 1200 X FORTY EIGHT 18 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2019-registered examples do best (90.7%) and 2018 worst (86.9%). Condition and history still trump the year.