Head-to-head · 2005–2025
HARLEY-DAVIDSON XL883C SPORTSTER vs TRIUMPH THUNDERBIRD
The TRIUMPH THUNDERBIRD passes its MOT first time more often than the HARLEY-DAVIDSON XL883C SPORTSTER — 87.8% vs 87.4%, a 0.4-point lead.
MOT reliability, side by side
first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
| Metric | HARLEY-DAVIDSON XL883C SPORTSTER | TRIUMPH THUNDERBIRD |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 87.4% | 87.8% |
| Outright fail rate | 6.2% | 6.2% |
| Median miles at test | 8,811 | 13,106 |
| MOT tests analysed | 5,596 | 56,312 |
| Most common failure | lighting and signalling | brakes |
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.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
XL883C SPORTSTER
87.4% pass · 5,596 tests
TRIUMPH
THUNDERBIRD
87.8% pass · 56.3k tests
See each bike's full report — trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals — on its own page.