Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
HARLEY-DAVIDSON XL 883 N IRON 18
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 N IRON 18's first-time pass rate has risen 2.8 points since 2021, 87.8% to 90.6%.
What fails on a XL 883 N IRON 18
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lamps and reflectors |
|
50 | 41 | 1.4× |
| structure and attachments |
|
21 | 17.2 | 1.6× |
| Identification of the vehicle |
|
20 | 16.4 | 5.4× |
| brakes |
|
14 | 11.5 | 0.2× |
| tyres |
|
8 | 6.6 | 0.7× |
| suspension |
|
5 | 4.1 | 0.3× |
| steering |
|
4 | 3.3 | 0.6× |
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 N IRON 18 beats 4 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 N IRON 18.
Compare with any bike
More HARLEY-DAVIDSON models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 2017 (89.8%). Lowest: 2018 (89.2%). Every XL 883 N Iron 18 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 N IRON 18 FAQ
Is the HARLEY-DAVIDSON XL 883 N IRON 18 reliable?
The HARLEY-DAVIDSON XL 883 N IRON 18 is more reliable than average for its class: 89.2% of its 1,597 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1212 of 5428 models.
What does a XL 883 N IRON 18 fail its MOT on most?
lamps and reflectors: 41% of all defects recorded against failed XL 883 N IRON 18 tests.
What is the best year of XL 883 N IRON 18 to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 2017-registered examples do best (89.8%) and 2019 worst (89.2%). Condition and history still trump the year.
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