Harley-Davidson FLS MOT pass rate and common failures

Harley-Davidson FLS motorcycles pass the MOT 91.77% of the time, measured across 328 tests in the DVSA record. A further 3.66% passed only after a defect was put right at the test station.

Better than average: 4.9 points above the 86.87% figure for all motorcycles tested.
Pass rate 91.77% 301 of 328
Fixed at the station 3.66% passed after an on-the-spot repair
Average mileage at test 12,806 miles
Average age at test 9.66 years old
Engine 1,733cc MOT class 1 and 2
For sale now 0 Harley-Davidson FLS adverts

What to check before the MOT

Built from this model's own failure record, not general advice.

  • Start with does not conform to the specified requirements - it accounts for 40% of failed tests on this model.
  • Then check missing and remains on when the brakes are released, 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 (25.6% of all tests) - not a failure, but money you will spend sooner or later.
  • Average recorded mileage at test is 12,806 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 91.07% 280
11-15 years 95.83% 48

Why the Harley-Davidson FLS 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 Does not conform to the specified requirements 40% 6
2 Missing 40% 6
3 Remains on when the brakes are released 33.3% 5
4 Less than 1.0 mm thick 20% 3
5 Too low 20% 3
6 Does not illuminate simultaneously with the position lamp(s) 13.3% 2
7 Inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources 13.3% 2
8 Missing in the case of multiple lamps or light sources 13.3% 2
9 Too high 13.3% 2
10 Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 13.3% 2

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 25.6% 84
2 Less than 1.0 mm thick 5.2% 17
3 Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 2.7% 9
4 Indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort 2.1% 7
5 Tread not clearly visible 1.5% 5
6 Excessively stiff or notchy 0.9% 3
7 In such a condition that it is seriously weakened 0.9% 3
8 Nail in tyre 0.9% 3
9 Damaged 0.3% 1
10 Excessively binding 0.3% 1

Harley-Davidson FLS for sale

No Harley-Davidson FLS 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

Harley-Davidson FLS MOT questions

What is the MOT pass rate for the Harley-Davidson FLS?+
91.77% of Harley-Davidson FLS MOT tests end in a pass, based on 328 tests in the DVSA dataset.
What is the most common MOT failure on a Harley-Davidson FLS?+
Does not conform to the specified requirements, which appears in 40% of failed tests on this model.
Does the Harley-Davidson FLS get harder to pass as it ages?+
At 11-15 years old the pass rate is 95.83%, against 91.07% for examples 6-10 years old.
Where does this data come from?+
From the DVSA anonymised MOT testing dataset, which records every MOT carried out in England, Scotland and Wales. It is published under the Open Government Licence and covers 2025.
Does a high pass rate mean the bike is reliable?+
Not by itself. The MOT checks safety items - brakes, tyres, lights, structure - and says nothing about engines, gearboxes or electrics. Read it as a maintenance signal, not a reliability score.
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