Harley-davidson Softtail Springer MOT Pass Rate
Overall pass rate across all manufacture years, based on 31 real MOT test results. Failure rate: 22.6%.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
Harley-davidson Softtail Springer MOT Reliability Overview
The Harley-davidson Softtail Springer is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 31 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 1 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 77.4% and a failure rate of 22.6%, which is well above the UK average of approximately 37%.
Based on this data, the Harley-davidson Softtail Springer earns a "Excellent" reliability rating. The average Harley-davidson Softtail Springer presents for MOT with approximately 20,392 miles on the clock. The 1997 manufacture year performs best with a 80.0% pass rate.
The most common MOT failure for the Harley-davidson Softtail Springer is Motorcycle fuel and exhaust, affecting 9.7% of all tests. Motorcycle fuel and exhaust issues are a common cause of MOT failure. Regular inspection and maintenance of these components helps ensure your vehicle passes its MOT. The second most common issue is Motorcycle lighting and signalling at 9.7%. Motorcycle brakes rounds out the top three at 6.5%. Together, these top 3 failure categories account for a significant portion of all MOT failures for this model.
Top failures across all manufacture years combined. Individual year pages may show different top failures.
What Fails Most
Pass Rate by Manufacture Year
* High Fail Rate badge indicates an MOT pass rate below 65% (failure rate above 35%).
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Motorcycle Lighting And Signalling | 9.7% | 3 |
| 2 | Motorcycle Fuel And Exhaust | 9.7% | 3 |
| 3 | Motorcycle Reg Plates And Vin | 6.5% | 2 |
| 4 | Motorcycle Steering And Suspension | 6.5% | 2 |
| 5 | Motorcycle Brakes | 6.5% | 2 |
| 6 | Motorcycle Tyres And Wheels | 3.2% | 1 |
| 7 | Motorcycle Lamps And Reflectors | 3.2% | 1 |
| 8 | Motorcycle Structure And Attachments | 3.2% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 20,392 miFor every 10,000 miles driven, this shows what percentage of MOT tests fail for each category. This accounts for how far cars are actually driven, not just raw pass/fail counts.
View as table
| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motorcycle lighting and signalling | 4.75 | 9.7% | 3 |
| Motorcycle fuel and exhaust | 4.75 | 9.7% | 3 |
| Motorcycle reg plates and vin | 3.16 | 6.5% | 2 |
| Motorcycle steering and suspension | 3.16 | 6.5% | 2 |
| Motorcycle brakes | 3.16 | 6.5% | 2 |
| Motorcycle tyres and wheels | 1.58 | 3.2% | 1 |
| Motorcycle lamps and reflectors | 1.58 | 3.2% | 1 |
| Motorcycle structure and attachments | 1.58 | 3.2% | 1 |
🚗 Similar Cars to Consider
Mileage at MOT
The average Harley-davidson Softtail Springer has 20,392 miles when tested for MOT.
📊 Mileage-Adjusted Failure Rate
How often this car fails MOT relative to how much it's driven — a fairer comparison than raw pass rate.
The Harley-davidson Softtail Springer has a mileage-adjusted failure rate of 11.08% per 10,000 miles driven. The average across all makes is 5.38%, so this model is worse than average.
About Harley-davidson Softtail Springer MOT Data
The Harley-davidson Softtail Springer is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 31 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 1 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 77.4% and a failure rate of 22.6%, which is well above the UK average of approximately 37%.
For Harley-davidson Softtail Springer owners, these results suggest a reliable vehicle that generally passes its MOT without major issues. Focus your pre-MOT checks on motorcycle fuel and exhaust and motorcycle lighting and signalling for the best chance of a first-time pass. Use our detailed year-by-year breakdown and failure analysis below to understand how your specific Softtail Springer is likely to perform.
Motorcycle fuel and exhaust — 9.7% of failures
Motorcycle fuel and exhaust issues account for 9.7% of MOT failures on the Harley-davidson Softtail Springer. Motorcycle fuel and exhaust issues are a common cause of MOT failure. Regular inspection and maintenance of these components helps ensure your vehicle passes its MOT. Typical repair costs: £100–400. Pre-MOT check: Have this system checked during regular servicing. Look for warning signs like unusual noises, vibrations, or dashboard warning lights.
Motorcycle lighting and signalling — 9.7% of failures
Motorcycle lighting and signalling issues account for 9.7% of MOT failures on the Harley-davidson Softtail Springer. Motorcycle lighting and signalling issues are a common cause of MOT failure. Regular inspection and maintenance of these components helps ensure your vehicle passes its MOT. Typical repair costs: £100–400. Pre-MOT check: Have this system checked during regular servicing. Look for warning signs like unusual noises, vibrations, or dashboard warning lights.
Motorcycle brakes — 6.5% of failures
Motorcycle brakes issues account for 6.5% of MOT failures on the Harley-davidson Softtail Springer. Brake-related failures include worn brake pads, corroded brake discs, leaking brake lines, and faulty brake servos. These are safety-critical components — any brake deficiency will result in an MOT fail. Typical repair costs: £150–400. Pre-MOT check: Listen for squealing or grinding noises. Check brake pedal feel — if it feels spongy or goes to the floor, have the system inspected immediately. Look at brake pad thickness through the wheel spokes (minimum 3mm).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Harley-davidson Softtail Springer?
Based on 31 (based on limited data) MOT tests in our database, the Harley-davidson Softtail Springer has an overall pass rate of 77.4% (22.6% fail rate).
What are the most common MOT failures on a Harley-davidson Softtail Springer?
The top 3 reasons a Harley-davidson Softtail Springer fails its MOT are: 1. Motorcycle fuel and exhaust (9.7%), 2. Motorcycle lighting and signalling (9.7%), 3. Motorcycle brakes (6.5%). Check these areas before booking your MOT.
Is the Harley-davidson Softtail Springer reliable?
With a 22.6% MOT failure rate, the Softtail Springer is more reliable than average compared to the UK average of ~40%.
What should I check before an MOT on my Harley-davidson Softtail Springer?
Based on failure data, focus on: Motorcycle fuel and exhaust (9.7%); Motorcycle lighting and signalling (9.7%); Motorcycle brakes (6.5%). These are the areas most likely to cause a fail. Also check all lights, tyres (minimum 1.6mm tread), and windscreen condition — these are quick wins that apply to all cars.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.