Harley-Davidson FLSTFB MOT pass rate and common failures
Harley-Davidson FLSTFB motorcycles pass the MOT 88.35% of the time, measured across 249 tests in the DVSA record. A further 6.02% 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 tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm - it accounts for 42.9% of failed tests on this model.
- Then check does not conform to the specified requirements and inoperative, 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 (30.5% of all tests) - not a failure, but money you will spend sooner or later.
- Average recorded mileage at test is 13,266 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 | 88.83% | 197 | |
| 11-15 years | 86% | 50 |
Why the Harley-Davidson FLSTFB 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 | Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm | 42.9% | 6 | |
| 2 | Does not conform to the specified requirements | 28.6% | 4 | |
| 3 | Inoperative | 28.6% | 4 | |
| 4 | Missing | 28.6% | 4 | |
| 5 | Obviously incorrectly positioned | 21.4% | 3 | |
| 6 | Incorrect | 14.3% | 2 | |
| 7 | Less than 1.0 mm thick | 14.3% | 2 | |
| 8 | Not working | 14.3% | 2 | |
| 9 | Remains on when the brakes are released | 14.3% | 2 | |
| 10 | Too high | 14.3% | 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 | 30.5% | 76 | |
| 2 | Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm | 8% | 20 | |
| 3 | Less than 1.0 mm thick | 6% | 15 | |
| 4 | Tread not clearly visible | 2% | 5 | |
| 5 | Indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort | 1.6% | 4 | |
| 6 | Excessively binding | 0.8% | 2 | |
| 7 | Has excessive wear or free play | 0.4% | 1 | |
| 8 | In such a condition that it is seriously weakened | 0.4% | 1 | |
| 9 | Insecure | 0.4% | 1 | |
| 10 | Light intensity significantly reduced | 0.4% | 1 |
Harley-Davidson FLSTFB for sale
No Harley-Davidson FLSTFB 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