Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
HARLEY-DAVIDSON XL 883 L SUPERLOW 12
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 883 L SUPERLOW 12's first-time pass rate has fallen 1.4 points since 2015, 87.1% to 85.7%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage XL 883 L SUPERLOW 12 passes first time 89.9% of the time; by 20k that's 82.7%.
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 883 L SUPERLOW 12
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lamps and reflectors |
|
18 | 20.7 | 1.0× |
| brakes |
|
16 | 18.4 | 0.4× |
| tyres |
|
14 | 16.1 | 2.4× |
| Identification of the vehicle |
|
10 | 11.5 | 5.4× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
8 | 9.2 | 0.4× |
| structure and attachments |
|
8 | 9.2 | 1.4× |
| reg plates and vin |
|
4 | 4.6 | 1.0× |
| lighting and signalling |
|
4 | 4.6 | 0.1× |
| steering and suspension |
|
3 | 3.4 | 0.1× |
| audible warning (Horn) |
|
2 | 2.3 | 1.5× |
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 883 L SUPERLOW 12 beats 3 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 883 L SUPERLOW 12.
Compare with any bike
More HARLEY-DAVIDSON models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 2012 (90.7%). Lowest: 2013 (83.5%). Every XL 883 L Superlow 12 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 883 L SUPERLOW 12 FAQ
Is the HARLEY-DAVIDSON XL 883 L SUPERLOW 12 reliable?
The HARLEY-DAVIDSON XL 883 L SUPERLOW 12 is more reliable than average for its class: 88.9% of its 720 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1305 of 5428 models.
What does a XL 883 L SUPERLOW 12 fail its MOT on most?
lamps and reflectors: 21% of all defects recorded against failed XL 883 L SUPERLOW 12 tests.
What is the best year of XL 883 L SUPERLOW 12 to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 2012-registered examples do best (90.7%) and 2013 worst (83.5%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a XL 883 L SUPERLOW 12 last?
The median XL 883 L SUPERLOW 12 shows 6,572 miles at test, and examples around 20k miles still pass 82.7% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
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