Harley-davidson Xl883 Sportster MOT Pass Rate
Overall pass rate across all manufacture years, based on 54 real MOT test results. Failure rate: 9.3%.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
Harley-davidson Xl883 Sportster MOT Reliability Overview
The Harley-davidson Xl883 Sportster is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 54 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 0 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 90.7% and a failure rate of 9.3%, which is well above the UK average of approximately 37%.
Based on this data, the Harley-davidson Xl883 Sportster earns a "Excellent" reliability rating. The average Harley-davidson Xl883 Sportster presents for MOT with approximately 13,546 miles on the clock.
The most common MOT failure for the Harley-davidson Xl883 Sportster is Motorcycle structure and attachments, affecting 5.6% of all tests. Motorcycle structure and attachments 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 brakes at 5.6%. Motorcycle reg plates and vin rounds out the top three at 3.7%. 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 Reg Plates And Vin | 9.3% | 5 |
| 2 | Motorcycle Brakes | 5.6% | 3 |
| 3 | Motorcycle Structure And Attachments | 5.6% | 3 |
| 4 | Identification Of The Vehicle | 1.9% | 1 |
| 5 | Motorcycle Lamps And Reflectors | 1.9% | 1 |
| 6 | Motorcycle Wheels | 1.9% | 1 |
| 7 | Motorcycle Fuel And Exhaust | 1.9% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 13,546 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 reg plates and vin | 6.84 | 9.3% | 5 |
| Motorcycle brakes | 4.10 | 5.6% | 3 |
| Motorcycle structure and attachments | 4.10 | 5.6% | 3 |
| Identification of the vehicle | 1.37 | 1.9% | 1 |
| Motorcycle lamps and reflectors | 1.37 | 1.9% | 1 |
| Motorcycle wheels | 1.37 | 1.9% | 1 |
| Motorcycle fuel and exhaust | 1.37 | 1.9% | 1 |
🚗 Similar Cars to Consider
Mileage at MOT
The average Harley-davidson Xl883 Sportster has 13,546 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 Xl883 Sportster has a mileage-adjusted failure rate of 6.87% per 10,000 miles driven. The average across all makes is 5.38%, so this model is worse than average.
About Harley-davidson Xl883 Sportster MOT Data
The Harley-davidson Xl883 Sportster is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 54 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 0 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 90.7% and a failure rate of 9.3%, which is well above the UK average of approximately 37%.
For Harley-davidson Xl883 Sportster owners, these results suggest a reliable vehicle that generally passes its MOT without major issues. Focus your pre-MOT checks on motorcycle structure and attachments and motorcycle brakes 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 Xl883 Sportster is likely to perform.
Motorcycle structure and attachments — 5.6% of failures
Motorcycle structure and attachments issues account for 5.6% of MOT failures on the Harley-davidson Xl883 Sportster. Motorcycle structure and attachments 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 — 5.6% of failures
Motorcycle brakes issues account for 5.6% of MOT failures on the Harley-davidson Xl883 Sportster. 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).
Motorcycle reg plates and vin — 3.7% of failures
Motorcycle reg plates and vin issues account for 3.7% of MOT failures on the Harley-davidson Xl883 Sportster. Motorcycle reg plates and vin 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 Xl883 Sportster?
Based on 54 (based on limited data) MOT tests in our database, the Harley-davidson Xl883 Sportster has an overall pass rate of 90.7% (9.3% fail rate).
What are the most common MOT failures on a Harley-davidson Xl883 Sportster?
The top 3 reasons a Harley-davidson Xl883 Sportster fails its MOT are: 1. Motorcycle structure and attachments (5.6%), 2. Motorcycle brakes (5.6%), 3. Motorcycle reg plates and vin (3.7%). Check these areas before booking your MOT.
Is the Harley-davidson Xl883 Sportster reliable?
With a 9.3% MOT failure rate, the Xl883 Sportster is more reliable than average compared to the UK average of ~40%.
What should I check before an MOT on my Harley-davidson Xl883 Sportster?
Based on failure data, focus on: Motorcycle structure and attachments (5.6%); Motorcycle brakes (5.6%); Motorcycle reg plates and vin (3.7%). 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.