Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
Indian Motorcycle Chief vs Harley-Davidson Flstc
The Indian Motorcycle Chief passes its MOT first time more often than the Harley-Davidson Flstc: 93.8% vs 89.4%, a 4.4-point lead.
MOT reliability, side by side
| Metric | Indian Motorcycle Chief | Harley-Davidson Flstc |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 93.8% | 89.4% |
| Outright fail rate | 3.4% | 4.9% |
| Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) | +5.7 pts | +5.1 pts |
| Engine size | 1,811cc | 1,450cc |
| Rank among all models | #198 of 5428 | #1147 of 5428 |
| Median miles at test | 8,000 | 16,884 |
| MOT tests analysed | 1,096 | 23,752 |
| Most common failure | lamps and reflectors | 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 | Indian Motorcycle Chief | Harley-Davidson Flstc |
|---|---|---|
| Lights & signalling | 1.6% | 2.0% |
| Tyres & wheels | 0.8% | 1.1% |
| Brakes | 0.3% | 1.4% |
| Steering & suspension | 0.8% | 0.5% |
| Structure & body | 0.5% | 0.2% |
| Fuel & exhaust | 0% | 0.5% |
| Drive system | 0% | 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 | Indian Motorcycle Chief | Harley-Davidson Flstc |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 92.7% | 89.0% |
| 2019 | 96.4% | 89.0% |
| 2020 | 96.2% | 91.4% |
| 2021 | 92.9% | 90.7% |
| 2022 | 97.2% | 92.3% |
| 2023 | 93.1% | 90.7% |
| 2024 | 95.9% | 90.4% |
| 2025 | 93.1% | 91.4% |
Each year mixes bikes of different ages, so a fleet that is getting older tends to slip.
Pass rate by mileage
| Mileage | Indian Motorcycle Chief | Harley-Davidson Flstc |
|---|---|---|
| 0k-10k miles | 93.9% | 90.8% |
| 10k-20k miles | 93.7% | 89.6% |
| 20k-30k miles | 92.4% | 88.4% |
Bands with fewer than 30 tests for either bike are left out.
Indian Motorcycle Chief vs Harley-Davidson Flstc FAQ
Which is more reliable, the Indian Motorcycle Chief or the Harley-Davidson Flstc?
The Indian Motorcycle Chief passes its MOT first time more often than the Harley-Davidson Flstc: 93.8% vs 89.4%, a 4.4-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class the two are level (+5.7 vs +5.1 points against comparable bikes), so the raw gap is mostly down to how old and how used each fleet is. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.
What does the Indian Motorcycle Chief fail its MOT on most?
Lights & signalling: 1.6% of Indian Motorcycle Chief MOT tests failed on it, then tyres & wheels (0.8%).
What does the Harley-Davidson Flstc fail its MOT on most?
Lights & signalling: 2.0% of Harley-Davidson Flstc MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (1.4%).
Which holds up better at high mileage, the Indian Motorcycle Chief or the Harley-Davidson Flstc?
At 20k-30k miles the Indian Motorcycle Chief passes first time more often: 92.4% for the Indian Motorcycle Chief vs 88.4% for the Harley-Davidson Flstc.
See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.