Harley-Davidson SPORTSTER MOT pass rate and common failures
Harley-Davidson SPORTSTER motorcycles pass the MOT 86.65% of the time, measured across 322 tests in the DVSA record. A further 6.21% 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 missing 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 (14.6% of all tests) - not a failure, but money you will spend sooner or later.
- Average recorded mileage at test is 18,902 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 | 86.84% | 304 |
Why the Harley-Davidson SPORTSTER 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 | Missing | 34.8% | 8 | |
| 3 | Does not conform to the specified requirements | 21.7% | 5 | |
| 4 | Does not illuminate by the operation of both brake controls | 17.4% | 4 | |
| 5 | Too high | 17.4% | 4 | |
| 6 | Has a serious fluid leak | 13% | 3 | |
| 7 | Insecure | 13% | 3 | |
| 8 | Excessively binding | 8.7% | 2 | |
| 9 | Grip insecure to handlebar | 8.7% | 2 | |
| 10 | Has a major leak of exhaust gases | 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 | 14.6% | 47 | |
| 2 | Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm | 4% | 13 | |
| 3 | Indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort | 3.1% | 10 | |
| 4 | Less than 1.0 mm thick | 3.1% | 10 | |
| 5 | Has a serious fluid leak | 2.8% | 9 | |
| 6 | Has excessive play | 2.5% | 8 | |
| 7 | Excessively binding | 1.2% | 4 | |
| 8 | Worn to excess | 1.2% | 4 | |
| 9 | Chain guard missing | 0.9% | 3 | |
| 10 | Corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced | 0.9% | 3 |
Harley-Davidson SPORTSTER for sale
7 Harley-Davidson SPORTSTER adverts on MotoDealers UK right now, 48 Harley-Davidson in total.
Similar bikes compared
Models of comparable capacity, so the comparison means something.
| Model | Tests | Pass rate | Avg mileage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Triumph TIGER · 969cc | 16,144 | 91.27% | 22,934 | |
| Triumph BONNEVILLE 642-904cc · 642-904cc | 12,456 | 90.8% | 12,824 | |
| 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 |
Source: DVSA MOT testing data, 2025 · updated Aug 2026 · licence and method