Harley-Davidson XL1200C MOT pass rate and common failures
Harley-Davidson XL1200C motorcycles pass the MOT 88.8% of the time, measured across 777 tests in the DVSA record. A further 5.15% 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 44.7% 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 (19.7% of all tests) - not a failure, but money you will spend sooner or later.
- Average recorded mileage at test is 17,487 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11-15 years | 88.79% | 116 | |
| 16+ years | 88.87% | 629 |
Why the Harley-Davidson XL1200C 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 | 44.7% | 21 | |
| 2 | Does not conform to the specified requirements | 36.2% | 17 | |
| 3 | Missing | 34% | 16 | |
| 4 | Does not illuminate by the operation of both brake controls | 19.1% | 9 | |
| 5 | Too high | 10.6% | 5 | |
| 6 | Insecure | 10.6% | 5 | |
| 7 | Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm | 8.5% | 4 | |
| 8 | Unable to be tested | 8.5% | 4 | |
| 9 | Not working on dipped beam | 6.4% | 3 | |
| 10 | Has a serious fluid leak | 6.4% | 3 |
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 | 19.7% | 153 | |
| 2 | Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm | 5.5% | 43 | |
| 3 | Less than 1.0 mm thick | 2.3% | 18 | |
| 4 | Has a serious fluid leak | 1.5% | 12 | |
| 5 | Indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort | 1.5% | 12 | |
| 6 | Excessively distorted | 0.9% | 7 | |
| 7 | Has excessive play | 0.6% | 5 | |
| 8 | Tread not clearly visible | 0.5% | 4 | |
| 9 | Chain guard missing | 0.5% | 4 | |
| 10 | Has a major leak of exhaust gases | 0.5% | 4 |
Harley-Davidson XL1200C for sale
No Harley-Davidson XL1200C 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 | |
| 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