Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber vs Harley-Davidson XL

The Harley-Davidson XL passes its MOT first time more often than the Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber: 87.9% vs 87.3%, a 0.6-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber	Harley-Davidson XL
First-time pass rate	87.3%	87.9%
Outright fail rate	4.7%	5.3%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-2.3 pts	-0.1 pts
Engine size	853cc	883cc
Rank among all models	#1818 of 5428	#1639 of 5428
Median miles at test	4,019	6,108
MOT tests analysed	716	18,541
Most common failure	lamps and reflectors	lamps and reflectors

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	Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber	Harley-Davidson XL
Lights & signalling	2.4%	3.0%
Brakes	1.0%	0.8%
Structure & body	0.4%	1.0%
Steering & suspension	0.3%	0.9%
Tyres & wheels	0.3%	0.5%
Fuel & exhaust	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

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

Test year	Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber	Harley-Davidson XL
2019	87.1%	86.5%
2020	90.1%	89.4%
2021	82.4%	88.8%
2022	87.7%	88.5%
2023	85.0%	88.4%
2024	88.8%	87.6%
2025	90.0%	87.5%

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	Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber	Harley-Davidson XL
0k-10k miles	87.5%	89.0%
10k-20k miles	87.6%	85.5%

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

Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber vs Harley-Davidson XL FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber or the Harley-Davidson XL?

The Harley-Davidson XL passes its MOT first time more often than the Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber: 87.9% vs 87.3%, a 0.6-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Harley-Davidson XL still comes out ahead: -2.3 points vs comparable bikes for the Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber, -0.1 for the Harley-Davidson XL. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 2.4% of Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (1.0%).

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

Lights & signalling: 3.0% of Harley-Davidson XL MOT tests failed on it, then structure & body (1.0%).

MOTO GUZZI V9 BOBBER 87.3% pass · 716 tests HARLEY-DAVIDSON XL 87.9% pass · 18.5k tests

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