Harley-Davidson FXDL MOT pass rate and common failures
Harley-Davidson FXDL motorcycles pass the MOT 89.53% of the time, measured across 401 tests in the DVSA record. A further 4.74% 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 43.5% of failed tests on this model.
- Then check remains on when the brakes are released and does not conform to the specified requirements, 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 (20.2% of all tests) - not a failure, but money you will spend sooner or later.
- Average recorded mileage at test is 21,133 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 | 88.55% | 131 | |
| 16+ years | 89.43% | 246 |
Why the Harley-Davidson FXDL 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 | 43.5% | 10 | |
| 2 | Remains on when the brakes are released | 34.8% | 8 | |
| 3 | Does not conform to the specified requirements | 21.7% | 5 | |
| 4 | Missing | 21.7% | 5 | |
| 5 | Does not illuminate by the operation of both brake controls | 17.4% | 4 | |
| 6 | Too high | 17.4% | 4 | |
| 7 | Grip insecure to handlebar | 8.7% | 2 | |
| 8 | Lagging in operation | 8.7% | 2 | |
| 9 | Obviously incorrectly positioned | 8.7% | 2 | |
| 10 | Projected beam image obviously incorrect | 8.7% | 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 | 20.2% | 81 | |
| 2 | Indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort | 4.7% | 19 | |
| 3 | Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm | 3.2% | 13 | |
| 4 | Excessively distorted | 1.2% | 5 | |
| 5 | Less than 1.0 mm thick | 1.2% | 5 | |
| 6 | Excessively binding | 1% | 4 | |
| 7 | Excessively corroded | 0.7% | 3 | |
| 8 | Excessively stiff or notchy | 0.7% | 3 | |
| 9 | Tread not clearly visible | 0.7% | 3 | |
| 10 | Has a serious fluid leak | 0.5% | 2 |
Harley-Davidson FXDL for sale
No Harley-Davidson FXDL 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 R1250 · 1,254cc | 6,764 | 96.17% | 17,373 | |
| BMW R 1200 · 1,170cc | 6,170 | 95.28% | 27,241 | |
| Triumph BONNEVILLE 1200cc · 1196-1200cc | 5,527 | 91.62% | 8,342 | |
| Suzuki GSF1200 · 1,159cc | 4,061 | 84.68% | 29,337 |
Source: DVSA MOT testing data, 2025 · updated Aug 2026 · licence and method