1981 Harley-davidson Xlh1000 MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for Xlh1000 models manufactured in 1981, based on 135 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
1981 Harley-davidson Xlh1000 MOT Analysis
The 1981 Harley-davidson Xlh1000 has an MOT pass rate of 79.3% based on 135 tests — well above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 15,956 miles on the odometer. With a 20.7% failure rate, the 1981 Xlh1000 is rated as "Excellent" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1981 Harley-davidson Xlh1000 is Motorcycle brakes, responsible for 2.2% of failures. 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 range from £150–400. Identification of the vehicle is the second most common issue at 1.5%. Motorcycle lamps and reflectors follows at 1.5%.
Top failures specific to 1981 models only. The overall Xlh1000 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 Brakes | 2.2% | 3 |
| 2 | Identification Of The Vehicle | 1.5% | 2 |
| 3 | Motorcycle Lamps And Reflectors | 1.5% | 2 |
| 4 | Motorcycle Suspension | 0.7% | 1 |
| 5 | Motorcycle Tyres | 0.7% | 1 |
| 6 | Motorcycle Steering | 0.7% | 1 |
| 7 | Motorcycle Structure And Attachments | 0.7% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 15,956 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.
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| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motorcycle brakes | 1.39 | 2.2% | 3 |
| Identification of the vehicle | 0.93 | 1.5% | 2 |
| Motorcycle lamps and reflectors | 0.93 | 1.5% | 2 |
| Motorcycle suspension | 0.46 | 0.7% | 1 |
| Motorcycle tyres | 0.46 | 0.7% | 1 |
| Motorcycle steering | 0.46 | 0.7% | 1 |
| Motorcycle structure and attachments | 0.46 | 0.7% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1981 Harley-davidson Xlh1000 has an MOT pass rate of 79.3% based on 135 tests — well above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 15,956 miles on the odometer. With a 20.7% failure rate, the 1981 Xlh1000 is rated as "Excellent" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1981 Harley-davidson Xlh1000, you can expect reliable MOT performance overall. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to motorcycle brakes: 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). With relatively low average mileage of 15,956 miles, many of these vehicles are still in good mechanical condition.
Motorcycle brakes — 2.2% of failures
Motorcycle brakes issues account for 2.2% of MOT failures on 1981 Harley-davidson Xlh1000 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).
Identification of the vehicle — 1.5% of failures
Identification of the vehicle issues account for 1.5% of MOT failures on 1981 Harley-davidson Xlh1000 models. Identification failures relate to the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and registration plate. The VIN must be permanently displayed and legible, and the registration plate must meet British Standard formatting. Typical repair costs: £10–50. Pre-MOT check: Ensure the VIN plate is visible and legible (usually in the windscreen or under the bonnet). Check that number plates are clean, undamaged, and use the correct font and spacing.
Motorcycle lamps and reflectors — 1.5% of failures
Motorcycle lamps and reflectors issues account for 1.5% of MOT failures on 1981 Harley-davidson Xlh1000 models. Lighting failures cover all external lights: headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and reflectors. A single blown bulb will cause an MOT fail. This is one of the most preventable failure categories. Typical repair costs: £5–50. Pre-MOT check: Walk around the car and check every light — headlights (dipped and main beam), side lights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, hazard lights, reverse light, rear fog light, and number plate lights. Replace any blown bulbs before the test.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.