Harley-Davidson XL883C MOT pass rate and common failures
Harley-Davidson XL883C motorcycles pass the MOT 91.86% of the time, measured across 221 tests in the DVSA record. A further 2.71% 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 33.3% of failed tests on this model.
- Then check does not illuminate by the operation of both brake controls 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 (15.4% of all tests) - not a failure, but money you will spend sooner or later.
- Average recorded mileage at test is 17,603 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 | 92.27% | 194 |
Why the Harley-Davidson XL883C 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 | 33.3% | 4 | |
| 2 | Does not illuminate by the operation of both brake controls | 33.3% | 4 | |
| 3 | Missing | 33.3% | 4 | |
| 4 | Not working | 25% | 3 | |
| 5 | Too low | 25% | 3 | |
| 6 | Has no recorded effort at a wheel | 16.7% | 2 | |
| 7 | Noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motorcycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition | 16.7% | 2 | |
| 8 | Too high | 16.7% | 2 | |
| 9 | Does not illuminate all position lamps with a single operation | 8.3% | 1 | |
| 10 | Does not illuminate simultaneously with the position lamp(s) | 8.3% | 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 | Noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motorcycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition | 15.4% | 34 | |
| 2 | Less than 1.0 mm thick | 4.5% | 10 | |
| 3 | Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm | 3.2% | 7 | |
| 4 | Corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced | 1.4% | 3 | |
| 5 | Excessively corroded | 1.4% | 3 | |
| 6 | Has a serious fluid leak | 1.4% | 3 | |
| 7 | Has excessive play | 1.4% | 3 | |
| 8 | Tread not clearly visible | 1.4% | 3 | |
| 9 | Incorrect which adversely affects the handling | 0.9% | 2 | |
| 10 | Indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort | 0.9% | 2 |
Harley-Davidson XL883C for sale
No Harley-Davidson XL883C 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 S 1000 · 999cc | 8,445 | 91.96% | 15,282 | |
| Yamaha YZF R1 · 998cc | 6,022 | 88.01% | 23,152 | |
| Yamaha MT 800-1000cc · 800-1000cc | 5,720 | 90.98% | 16,130 |
Source: DVSA MOT testing data, 2025 · updated Aug 2026 · licence and method