Harley-Davidson FLHXS MOT pass rate and common failures
Harley-Davidson FLHXS motorcycles pass the MOT 92.86% of the time, measured across 224 tests in the DVSA record. A further 1.79% passed only after a defect was put right at the test station.
What to check before the MOT
Built from this model's own failure record, not general advice.
- Start with not working - it accounts for 50% of failed tests on this model.
- Then check does not conform to the specified requirements and less than 1.0 mm thick, the next two most common reasons.
- The most common advisory is noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motorcycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition (15.6% of all tests) - not a failure, but money you will spend sooner or later.
- Average recorded mileage at test is 21,821 miles, which is the number to compare any advert against.
Pass rate by age
A single pass rate hides the most useful thing in this data: how the same model behaves at three years old and at fifteen.
| Age at test | Pass rate | Tests | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6-10 years | 93.55% | 217 |
Why the Harley-Davidson FLHXS fails
Share of failed tests on this model where the item was recorded. One test can fail on several items, so the column does not add up to 100%.
| # | Item | Of failures | Tests | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Not working | 50% | 6 | |
| 2 | Does not conform to the specified requirements | 33.3% | 4 | |
| 3 | Less than 1.0 mm thick | 25% | 3 | |
| 4 | Indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort | 16.7% | 2 | |
| 5 | Too low | 16.7% | 2 | |
| 6 | Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm | 16.7% | 2 | |
| 7 | Defective but brake still operating | 8.3% | 1 | |
| 8 | Missing | 8.3% | 1 | |
| 9 | Mounting insecure | 8.3% | 1 | |
| 10 | Not releasing correctly | 8.3% | 1 |
Most common advisories
Not a failure and not a legal requirement to fix - but an advisory that repeats year after year is money the next owner spends.
| # | Item | Of all tests | Tests | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motorcycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition | 15.6% | 35 | |
| 2 | Indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort | 8.5% | 19 | |
| 3 | Less than 1.0 mm thick | 7.1% | 16 | |
| 4 | Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm | 3.6% | 8 | |
| 5 | In such a condition that it is seriously weakened | 0.9% | 2 | |
| 6 | Corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced | 0.4% | 1 | |
| 7 | Excessively loose | 0.4% | 1 | |
| 8 | Excessively stiff or notchy | 0.4% | 1 | |
| 9 | Has a serious fluid leak | 0.4% | 1 | |
| 10 | Has excessive play | 0.4% | 1 |
Harley-Davidson FLHXS for sale
No Harley-Davidson FLHXS in stock at the moment - 48 other Harley-Davidson bikes are advertised.
Similar bikes compared
Models of comparable capacity, so the comparison means something.
| Model | Tests | Pass rate | Avg mileage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW R1250 · 1,254cc | 6,764 | 96.17% | 17,373 | |
| Yamaha XJR1300 · 1,251cc | 3,805 | 90.43% | 26,274 | |
| BMW R 1250 GS ADVENTURE TE · 1,254cc | 2,946 | 96.33% | 12,375 | |
| BMW R 1250 GS TE · 1,254cc | 2,512 | 96.46% | 12,060 | |
| Suzuki GSX1400 · 1,402cc | 2,352 | 91.54% | 26,720 | |
| Honda ST1300 · 1,261cc | 1,866 | 88.96% | 47,954 |
Source: DVSA MOT testing data, 2025 · updated Aug 2026 · licence and method