Harley-davidson Xl 883 Sportster MOT Pass Rate
Overall pass rate across all manufacture years, based on 38 real MOT test results. Failure rate: 5.3%.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
Harley-davidson Xl 883 Sportster MOT Reliability Overview
The Harley-davidson Xl 883 Sportster is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 38 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 0 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 94.7% and a failure rate of 5.3%, which is well above the UK average of approximately 37%.
Based on this data, the Harley-davidson Xl 883 Sportster earns a "Excellent" reliability rating. The average Harley-davidson Xl 883 Sportster presents for MOT with approximately 8,329 miles on the clock.
The most common MOT failure for the Harley-davidson Xl 883 Sportster is Motorcycle lighting and signalling, affecting 5.3% of all tests. 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. The second most common issue is Motorcycle tyres and wheels at 5.3%. Motorcycle drive system rounds out the top three at 2.6%. 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
* 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 Tyres And Wheels | 7.9% | 3 |
| 2 | Motorcycle Lighting And Signalling | 5.3% | 2 |
| 3 | Motorcycle Drive System | 2.6% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 8,329 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 tyres and wheels | 9.48 | 7.9% | 3 |
| Motorcycle lighting and signalling | 6.32 | 5.3% | 2 |
| Motorcycle drive system | 3.16 | 2.6% | 1 |
🚗 Similar Cars to Consider
Mileage at MOT
The average Harley-davidson Xl 883 Sportster has 8,329 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 Xl 883 Sportster has a mileage-adjusted failure rate of 6.36% per 10,000 miles driven. The average across all makes is 5.38%, so this model is worse than average.
About Harley-davidson Xl 883 Sportster MOT Data
The Harley-davidson Xl 883 Sportster is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 38 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 0 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 94.7% and a failure rate of 5.3%, which is well above the UK average of approximately 37%.
For Harley-davidson Xl 883 Sportster owners, these results suggest a reliable vehicle that generally passes its MOT without major issues. Focus your pre-MOT checks on motorcycle lighting and signalling and motorcycle tyres and wheels 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 Xl 883 Sportster is likely to perform.
Motorcycle lighting and signalling — 5.3% of failures
Motorcycle lighting and signalling issues account for 5.3% of MOT failures on the Harley-davidson Xl 883 Sportster. 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 tyres and wheels — 5.3% of failures
Motorcycle tyres and wheels issues account for 5.3% of MOT failures on the Harley-davidson Xl 883 Sportster. Tyre failures include tread depth below the legal minimum of 1.6mm, cuts, bulges, exposed cords, and incorrect tyre pressure. Tyres are one of the most common and easiest-to-prevent MOT failures. Typical repair costs: £50–200 per tyre. Pre-MOT check: Check tread depth with a 20p coin — if the outer band is visible, the tyre is too worn. Look for bulges, cuts, or embedded objects. Ensure all tyres match the recommended size and load rating.
Motorcycle drive system — 2.6% of failures
Motorcycle drive system issues account for 2.6% of MOT failures on the Harley-davidson Xl 883 Sportster. Motorcycle drive system 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Harley-davidson Xl 883 Sportster?
Based on 38 (based on limited data) MOT tests in our database, the Harley-davidson Xl 883 Sportster has an overall pass rate of 94.7% (5.3% fail rate).
What are the most common MOT failures on a Harley-davidson Xl 883 Sportster?
The top 3 reasons a Harley-davidson Xl 883 Sportster fails its MOT are: 1. Motorcycle lighting and signalling (5.3%), 2. Motorcycle tyres and wheels (5.3%), 3. Motorcycle drive system (2.6%). Check these areas before booking your MOT.
Is the Harley-davidson Xl 883 Sportster reliable?
With a 5.3% MOT failure rate, the Xl 883 Sportster is more reliable than average compared to the UK average of ~40%.
What should I check before an MOT on my Harley-davidson Xl 883 Sportster?
Based on failure data, focus on: Motorcycle lighting and signalling (5.3%); Motorcycle tyres and wheels (5.3%); Motorcycle drive system (2.6%). 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.