Head-to-head · 2005–2025
Honda Shadow vs Harley-Davidson XLH 883
The Harley-Davidson XLH 883 passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda Shadow — 87.4% vs 81.0%, a 6.4-point lead.
MOT reliability, side by side
first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
| Metric | Honda Shadow | Harley-Davidson XLH 883 |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 81.0% | 87.4% |
| Outright fail rate | 11.2% | 5.9% |
| Median miles at test | 18,246 | 10,350 |
| MOT tests analysed | 6,066 | 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.
See each bike's full report — trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals — on its own page.