Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
HARLEY-DAVIDSON XLH1000
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 XLH1000's first-time pass rate has held steady since 2006 (80.2% → 80.4%).
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage XLH1000 passes first time 81.6% of the time; by 40k that's 83.7%.
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 XLH1000
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lighting and signalling |
|
100 | 27.9 | 1.2× |
| brakes |
|
89 | 24.8 | 1.1× |
| steering and suspension |
|
74 | 20.6 | 1.4× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
21 | 5.8 | 0.8× |
| body and structure |
|
19 | 5.3 | 2.3× |
| reg plates and vin |
|
17 | 4.7 | 2.0× |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
14 | 3.9 | 1.3× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
12 | 3.3 | 0.4× |
| drive system |
|
7 | 1.9 | 0.7× |
| Identification of the vehicle |
|
6 | 1.7 | 2.0× |
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 XLH1000 beats 0 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 XLH1000.
Compare with any bike
More HARLEY-DAVIDSON models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 1982 (92.7%). Lowest: 1983 (66.7%). Every XLH1000 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 XLH1000 FAQ
Is the HARLEY-DAVIDSON XLH1000 reliable?
The HARLEY-DAVIDSON XLH1000 is less reliable than average for its class: 81.8% of its 1,294 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3218 of 5428 models.
What does a XLH1000 fail its MOT on most?
lighting and signalling: 28% of all defects recorded against failed XLH1000 tests.
What is the best year of XLH1000 to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 1982-registered examples do best (92.7%) and 1983 worst (66.7%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a XLH1000 last?
The median XLH1000 shows 12,424 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 83.7% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
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