INDIAN MOTORCYCLE CHIEF

1811cc Petrol Class 2

#197 of 5426 overall #4 of 10 INDIAN MOTORCYCLEs #36 of 465 cruiser bikes

93.8%

first-time pass rate

3.4%

failed outright

8,000

median miles at test

1,096

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2007–2025

The CHIEF's first-time pass rate has held steady since 2007 (93.5% → 93.1%).

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage CHIEF passes first time 93.9% of the time; by 20k that's 92.4%.

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 CHIEF

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lamps and reflectors	16	25.8	0.6×
lighting and signalling	13	21	0.2×
Identification of the vehicle	7	11.3	2.8×
tyres	7	11.3	0.9×
steering and suspension	5	8.1	0.2×
structure and attachments	5	8.1	0.5×
suspension	3	4.8	0.4×
brakes	3	4.8	0.1×
tyres and wheels	2	3.2	0.1×
steering	1	1.6	0.2×

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

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the CHIEF beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLSTF, HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLSTC, TRIUMPH ROCKET III).

HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLSTF 88.9% pass · 30.1k tests HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLSTC 89.4% pass · 23.7k tests TRIUMPH ROCKET III 88.3% pass · 15.5k tests HARLEY-DAVIDSON FXDWG 88.7% pass · 14.6k 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 CHIEF.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1946 (98.3% pass). Weakest: 2014 (93.9%).

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.

INDIAN MOTORCYCLE CHIEF FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the INDIAN MOTORCYCLE CHIEF reliable?

The INDIAN MOTORCYCLE CHIEF is more reliable than average for its class: 93.8% of its 1,096 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #197 of 5426 models.

What does a CHIEF fail its MOT on most?

lamps and reflectors — 26% of all defects recorded against failed CHIEF tests.

What is the best year of CHIEF to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2015-registered examples do best (98.3%) and 2014 worst (93.9%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a CHIEF last?

The median CHIEF shows 8,000 miles at test, and examples around 20k miles still pass 92.4% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.