HARLEY-DAVIDSON XLH1100

1100cc Petrol Class 2

82.9%

first-time pass rate

9.3%

failed outright

26,161

median miles at test

193

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate by mileage

how the XLH1100's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage XLH1100 passes first time 86.7% of the time; by 30k that's 81.8%.

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 XLH1100

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects
lighting and signalling	16	40
steering and suspension	6	15
brakes	5	12.5
lamps and reflectors	4	10
reg plates and vin	3	7.5
drive system	2	5
tyres and wheels	1	2.5
body and structure	1	2.5
driving controls	1	2.5
fuel and exhaust	1	2.5

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 XLH1100 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 XL 87.9% pass · 18.5k 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 XLH1100.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1987 (83.3% pass). Weakest: 1987 (83.3%).

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.