1979 Harley-davidson Sportster MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for Sportster models manufactured in 1979, based on 53 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
1979 Harley-davidson Sportster MOT Analysis
The 1979 Harley-davidson Sportster has an MOT pass rate of 83.0% based on 53 tests — well above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 8,920 miles on the odometer. With a 17.0% failure rate, the 1979 Sportster is rated as "Excellent" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1979 Harley-davidson Sportster is Motorcycle fuel and exhaust, responsible for 5.7% of failures. 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 range from £100–400. Motorcycle lighting and signalling is the second most common issue at 3.8%. Motorcycle brakes follows at 1.9%.
Top failures specific to 1979 models only. The overall Sportster page may show different rankings.
What Fails Most
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Motorcycle Fuel And Exhaust | 5.7% | 3 |
| 2 | Motorcycle Lighting And Signalling | 3.8% | 2 |
| 3 | Motorcycle Brakes | 1.9% | 1 |
| 4 | Motorcycle Steering And Suspension | 1.9% | 1 |
| 5 | Motorcycle Tyres And Wheels | 1.9% | 1 |
| 6 | Non-component Advisories | 1.9% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 8,920 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 fuel and exhaust | 6.35 | 5.7% | 3 |
| Motorcycle lighting and signalling | 4.23 | 3.8% | 2 |
| Motorcycle brakes | 2.12 | 1.9% | 1 |
| Motorcycle steering and suspension | 2.12 | 1.9% | 1 |
| Motorcycle tyres and wheels | 2.12 | 1.9% | 1 |
| Non-component advisories | 2.12 | 1.9% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1979 Harley-davidson Sportster has an MOT pass rate of 83.0% based on 53 tests — well above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 8,920 miles on the odometer. With a 17.0% failure rate, the 1979 Sportster is rated as "Excellent" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1979 Harley-davidson Sportster, you can expect reliable MOT performance overall. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to motorcycle fuel and exhaust: Have this system checked during regular servicing. Look for warning signs like unusual noises, vibrations, or dashboard warning lights. With relatively low average mileage of 8,920 miles, many of these vehicles are still in good mechanical condition.
Motorcycle fuel and exhaust — 5.7% of failures
Motorcycle fuel and exhaust issues account for 5.7% of MOT failures on 1979 Harley-davidson Sportster models. 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 — 3.8% of failures
Motorcycle lighting and signalling issues account for 3.8% of MOT failures on 1979 Harley-davidson Sportster models. 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 — 1.9% of failures
Motorcycle brakes issues account for 1.9% of MOT failures on 1979 Harley-davidson Sportster models. 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).
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.