Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
Harley-Davidson Sportster vs Harley-Davidson XLH 883
The Harley-Davidson XLH 883 passes its MOT first time more often than the Harley-Davidson Sportster: 87.4% vs 84.6%, a 2.8-point lead.
MOT reliability, side by side
| Metric | Harley-Davidson Sportster | Harley-Davidson XLH 883 |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 84.6% | 87.4% |
| Outright fail rate | 7.8% | 5.9% |
| Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) | -0.5 pts | +1.6 pts |
| Engine size | 1,200cc | 883cc |
| Rank among all models | #2595 of 5428 | #1787 of 5428 |
| Median miles at test | 12,859 | 10,350 |
| MOT tests analysed | 10,175 | 41,267 |
| 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
| Component | Harley-Davidson Sportster | Harley-Davidson XLH 883 |
|---|---|---|
| Lights & signalling | 4.3% | 3.0% |
| Brakes | 1.8% | 1.4% |
| Steering & suspension | 1.8% | 1.1% |
| Tyres & wheels | 1.3% | 0.9% |
| Fuel & exhaust | 0.8% | 0.6% |
| Structure & body | 0.5% | 0.5% |
| Drive system | 0.2% | 0.1% |
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
| Test year | Harley-Davidson Sportster | Harley-Davidson XLH 883 |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 85.6% | 88.4% |
| 2019 | 85.0% | 87.2% |
| 2020 | 90.4% | 88.9% |
| 2021 | 87.4% | 87.8% |
| 2022 | 85.2% | 87.1% |
| 2023 | 86.3% | 87.1% |
| 2024 | 87.2% | 86.4% |
| 2025 | 86.3% | 87.4% |
Each year mixes bikes of different ages, so a fleet that is getting older tends to slip.
Pass rate by mileage
| Mileage | Harley-Davidson Sportster | Harley-Davidson XLH 883 |
|---|---|---|
| 0k-10k miles | 85.4% | 89.1% |
| 10k-20k miles | 84.7% | 87.0% |
| 20k-30k miles | 82.8% | 85.3% |
| 30k-40k miles | 85.4% | 83.7% |
| 40k-50k miles | 84.2% | 83.6% |
| 50k-60k miles | 77.2% | 88.4% |
Bands with fewer than 30 tests for either bike are left out.
Harley-Davidson Sportster vs Harley-Davidson XLH 883 FAQ
Which is more reliable, the Harley-Davidson Sportster or the Harley-Davidson XLH 883?
The Harley-Davidson XLH 883 passes its MOT first time more often than the Harley-Davidson Sportster: 87.4% vs 84.6%, a 2.8-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Harley-Davidson XLH 883 still comes out ahead: -0.5 points vs comparable bikes for the Harley-Davidson Sportster, +1.6 for the Harley-Davidson XLH 883. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.
What does the Harley-Davidson Sportster fail its MOT on most?
Lights & signalling: 4.3% of Harley-Davidson Sportster MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (1.8%).
What does the Harley-Davidson XLH 883 fail its MOT on most?
Lights & signalling: 3.0% of Harley-Davidson XLH 883 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (1.4%).
Which holds up better at high mileage, the Harley-Davidson Sportster or the Harley-Davidson XLH 883?
At 50k-60k miles the Harley-Davidson XLH 883 passes first time more often: 77.2% for the Harley-Davidson Sportster vs 88.4% for the Harley-Davidson XLH 883.
See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.