Harley-Davidson XL883C SPORTSTER MOT pass rate and common failures
Harley-Davidson XL883C SPORTSTER motorcycles pass the MOT 85.71% of the time, measured across 238 tests in the DVSA record. A further 3.36% 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 34.6% 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 (14.7% of all tests) - not a failure, but money you will spend sooner or later.
- Average recorded mileage at test is 17,425 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 | 85.84% | 219 |
Why the Harley-Davidson XL883C 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 | 34.6% | 9 | |
| 2 | Missing | 26.9% | 7 | |
| 3 | Does not conform to the specified requirements | 19.2% | 5 | |
| 4 | Does not illuminate by the operation of both brake controls | 7.7% | 2 | |
| 5 | Has a tear caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | 7.7% | 2 | |
| 6 | Incorrect | 7.7% | 2 | |
| 7 | Markings indicating not for road use or similar wording | 7.7% | 2 | |
| 8 | Mounting insecure | 7.7% | 2 | |
| 9 | Not releasing correctly | 7.7% | 2 | |
| 10 | Remains on when the brakes are released | 7.7% | 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 | 14.7% | 35 | |
| 2 | Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm | 4.2% | 10 | |
| 3 | Has a serious fluid leak | 2.5% | 6 | |
| 4 | Less than 1.0 mm thick | 2.5% | 6 | |
| 5 | Excessively binding | 1.7% | 4 | |
| 6 | Indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort | 1.7% | 4 | |
| 7 | Significantly and obviously worn | 1.7% | 4 | |
| 8 | Inscription illegible | 1.3% | 3 | |
| 9 | Has excessive play | 0.8% | 2 | |
| 10 | In such a condition that it is seriously weakened | 0.8% | 2 |
Harley-Davidson XL883C SPORTSTER for sale
No Harley-Davidson XL883C SPORTSTER 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 R 1200 · 1,170cc | 6,170 | 95.28% | 27,241 |
Source: DVSA MOT testing data, 2025 · updated Aug 2026 · licence and method