Harley-Davidson FXD MOT pass rate and common failures
Harley-Davidson FXD motorcycles pass the MOT 87.59% of the time, measured across 411 tests in the DVSA record. A further 5.11% 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 60% of failed tests on this model.
- Then check does not conform to the specified requirements and missing, 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 (19.2% of all tests) - not a failure, but money you will spend sooner or later.
- Average recorded mileage at test is 24,647 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16+ years | 87.71% | 407 |
Why the Harley-Davidson FXD 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 | 60% | 18 | |
| 2 | Does not conform to the specified requirements | 33.3% | 10 | |
| 3 | Missing | 33.3% | 10 | |
| 4 | Too high | 13.3% | 4 | |
| 5 | Indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort | 10% | 3 | |
| 6 | Contaminated | 6.7% | 2 | |
| 7 | Flashing more than 120 times a minute | 6.7% | 2 | |
| 8 | Has a serious fluid leak | 6.7% | 2 | |
| 9 | Has a tear caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | 6.7% | 2 | |
| 10 | Incorrect | 6.7% | 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 | 19.2% | 79 | |
| 2 | Indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort | 3.6% | 15 | |
| 3 | Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm | 2.7% | 11 | |
| 4 | Less than 1.0 mm thick | 2.4% | 10 | |
| 5 | Has excessive play | 1.2% | 5 | |
| 6 | Has a serious fluid leak | 1% | 4 | |
| 7 | Tread not clearly visible | 1% | 4 | |
| 8 | Excessively binding | 0.7% | 3 | |
| 9 | Excessively corroded | 0.7% | 3 | |
| 10 | Excessively loose | 0.5% | 2 |
Harley-Davidson FXD for sale
No Harley-Davidson FXD 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 R SERIES · 1,152cc | 9,796 | 91.92% | 40,594 | |
| BMW R1200 · 1,170cc | 9,521 | 94.43% | 28,830 | |
| BMW S 1000 · 999cc | 8,445 | 91.96% | 15,282 | |
| BMW R1250 · 1,254cc | 6,764 | 96.17% | 17,373 | |
| BMW R 1200 · 1,170cc | 6,170 | 95.28% | 27,241 | |
| Yamaha YZF R1 · 998cc | 6,022 | 88.01% | 23,152 |
Source: DVSA MOT testing data, 2025 · updated Aug 2026 · licence and method