Harley-Davidson Fxstd vs Harley-Davidson Fxdwg

The Harley-Davidson Fxdwg passes its MOT first time more often than the Harley-Davidson Fxstd: 88.7% vs 87.9%, a 0.8-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025

Metric	Harley-Davidson Fxstd	Harley-Davidson Fxdwg
First-time pass rate	87.9%	88.7%
Outright fail rate	4.7%	5.0%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+2.7 pts	+4.2 pts
Engine size	1,450cc	1,450cc
Rank among all models	#1639 of 5428	#1370 of 5428
Median miles at test	13,079	16,028
MOT tests analysed	2,688	14,585
Most common failure	lighting and signalling	lighting and signalling

First-time outcomes on normal tests, 2005–2025. "Most common failure" is the component group with the most recorded defects on failed tests. Read pass rates against test counts: a smaller sample is noisier. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results.

"Vs comparable bikes" is the first-time pass rate minus the rate expected for each bike's own mix of age, mileage and test class, in percentage points: positive means better than comparable bikes. How this works.

What fails, side by side

share of each bike's MOT tests that failed on the component · lower is better

Component	Harley-Davidson Fxstd	Harley-Davidson Fxdwg
Lights & signalling	2.7%	2.5%
Brakes	1.1%	1.2%
Tyres & wheels	0.9%	1.1%
Steering & suspension	0.4%	0.8%
Fuel & exhaust	0.4%	0.6%
Structure & body	0.1%	0.3%

A test that fails on two components counts once in each. Component links go to the bikes most likely to fail on it.

Pass rate by test year

first-time MOT pass rate in each calendar year both bikes were tested

Test year	Harley-Davidson Fxstd	Harley-Davidson Fxdwg
2018	85.4%	87.6%
2019	88.0%	89.5%
2020	90.5%	90.7%
2021	87.1%	89.2%
2022	89.2%	87.2%
2023	89.1%	91.6%
2024	86.7%	88.4%
2025	85.6%	90.7%

Each year mixes bikes of different ages, so a fleet that is getting older tends to slip.

Pass rate by mileage

first-time MOT pass rate by miles on the clock at test

Mileage	Harley-Davidson Fxstd	Harley-Davidson Fxdwg
0k-10k miles	88.7%	90.6%
10k-20k miles	87.0%	88.4%
20k-30k miles	88.2%	88.6%
30k-40k miles	88.7%	88.1%
40k-50k miles	84.7%	84.5%
50k-60k miles	87.0%	88.1%

Bands with fewer than 30 tests for either bike are left out.

Harley-Davidson Fxstd vs Harley-Davidson Fxdwg FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Harley-Davidson Fxstd or the Harley-Davidson Fxdwg?

The Harley-Davidson Fxdwg passes its MOT first time more often than the Harley-Davidson Fxstd: 88.7% vs 87.9%, a 0.8-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Harley-Davidson Fxdwg still comes out ahead: +2.7 points vs comparable bikes for the Harley-Davidson Fxstd, +4.2 for the Harley-Davidson Fxdwg. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Harley-Davidson Fxstd fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 2.7% of Harley-Davidson Fxstd MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (1.1%).

What does the Harley-Davidson Fxdwg fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 2.5% of Harley-Davidson Fxdwg MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (1.2%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Harley-Davidson Fxstd or the Harley-Davidson Fxdwg?

At 50k-60k miles the Harley-Davidson Fxdwg passes first time more often: 87.0% for the Harley-Davidson Fxstd vs 88.1% for the Harley-Davidson Fxdwg.

HARLEY-DAVIDSON FXSTD 87.9% pass · 2,688 tests HARLEY-DAVIDSON FXDWG 88.7% pass · 14.6k tests

See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.