HARLEY-DAVIDSON XL1200 SPORTSTER

1200cc Petrol Class 2

86.7%

first-time pass rate

5.5%

failed outright

14,169

median miles at test

165

MOT tests, 2005–2025

What fails on a XL1200 SPORTSTER

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects
brakes	4	20
steering and suspension	4	20
lamps and reflectors	2	10
lighting and signalling	2	10
suspension	2	10
Items Not Tested	2	10
Identification of the vehicle	2	10
structure and attachments	1	5
reg plates and vin	1	5

Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects.

How rivals compare

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the XL1200 SPORTSTER 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 XL1200 SPORTSTER.