Harley-Davidson SPORTSTER S MOT pass rate and common failures
Harley-Davidson SPORTSTER S motorcycles pass the MOT 91.56% of the time, measured across 225 tests in the DVSA record. A further 3.56% 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 does not conform to the specified requirements - it accounts for 81.8% of failed tests on this model.
- Then check the less effective brake control does not achieve an efficiency of 25% and missing, the next two most common reasons.
- The most common advisory is tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (9.8% of all tests) - not a failure, but money you will spend sooner or later.
- Average recorded mileage at test is 3,653 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-5 years | 91.44% | 222 |
Why the Harley-Davidson SPORTSTER S 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 | 81.8% | 9 | |
| 2 | The less effective brake control does not achieve an efficiency of 25% | 36.4% | 4 | |
| 3 | Missing | 27.3% | 3 | |
| 4 | Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm | 27.3% | 3 | |
| 5 | Missing in the case of a single lamp or all lamps | 18.2% | 2 | |
| 6 | Obviously incorrectly positioned | 18.2% | 2 | |
| 7 | Too high | 18.2% | 2 | |
| 8 | Adversely affected by the operation of another lamp | 9.1% | 1 | |
| 9 | Excessively stiff or notchy | 9.1% | 1 | |
| 10 | Fouling on the fuel tank or bodywork on full lock | 9.1% | 1 |
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 | Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm | 9.8% | 22 | |
| 2 | Noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motorcycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition | 8.4% | 19 | |
| 3 | Tread not clearly visible | 1.3% | 3 | |
| 4 | Excessively tight | 0.4% | 1 | |
| 5 | Nail in tyre | 0.4% | 1 | |
| 6 | Significantly and obviously worn | 0.4% | 1 |
Harley-Davidson SPORTSTER S for sale
No Harley-Davidson SPORTSTER S 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Triumph TIGER · 969cc | 16,144 | 91.27% | 22,934 | |
| 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 |
Source: DVSA MOT testing data, 2025 · updated Aug 2026 · licence and method