Harley-Davidson XL883 MOT pass rate & common failures

At a glance

Recorded pass rate

1.0 points above the fleet average of 86.5%. The examples tested do not cover a wide enough spread of ages and mileages to compare fairly against the rest of the fleet, so no rank is claimed; the failure record below stands on its own.

DVSA recorded wording

Most common failure items

Share of failed Harley-Davidson XL883 tests in which each item was recorded. One failed test often lists several, so these do not sum to 100%.

1. 1.Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning22.0%

   11 occurrences

2. 2.Number plate does not conform to the specified requirements18.0%

   9 occurrences

3. 3.Reflector missing or reflecting white to the rear16.0%

   8 occurrences

4. 4.A stop lamp(s) does not illuminate by the operation of both brake controls or remains on when the brakes are released12.0%

   6 occurrences

5. 5.Brake lining or pad worn below 1.0mm10.0%

   5 occurrences

6. 6.A lamp missing or inoperative10.0%

   5 occurrences

7. 7.A wheel bearing excessively rough8.0%

   4 occurrences

8. 8.A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps8.0%

   4 occurrences

9. 9.A shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely8.0%

   4 occurrences

10. 10.The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements6.0%

    3 occurrences

11. 11.Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements6.0%

    3 occurrences

12. 12.Exhaust system leaking or insecure6.0%

    3 occurrences

Warnings without a failure

Most common advisories

Share of all Harley-Davidson XL883 tests carrying each advisory.

1. 1.Exhaust noise levels in excess of those permitted23.2%

   180 tests

2. 2.Brake lining or pad worn below 1.0mm3.6%

   28 tests

3. 3.Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements3.6%

   28 tests

4. 4.A wheel bearing with excessive play1.3%

   10 tests

5. 5.Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake0.9%

   7 tests

6. 6.Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements0.9%

   7 tests

7. 7.Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements0.6%

   5 tests

8. 8.Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake0.6%

   5 tests

What gets tested

The XL883 fleet

Average mileage recorded at test

16,049

Test classes

class 2: 777

Compare within the range

Other Harley-Davidson motorcycles

• Harley Davidson XL87.9% raw
• Harley Davidson Flstf91.5% raw
• Harley-Davidson XLH 88387.5% raw
• Harley Davidson Flstc91.4% raw
• Harley Davidson FXSB88.7% raw
• Harley-Davidson XL1200C88.8% raw
• All Harley-Davidson motorcycles

Common questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a Harley-Davidson XL883?

87.5% unadjusted, from 777 DVSA tests. The average across all motorcycles is 86.5%.

What does a Harley-Davidson XL883 fail its MOT on?

"Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning" is recorded in 22.0% of failed Harley-Davidson XL883 tests, followed by "Number plate does not conform to the specified requirements" (18.0%). One failed test often lists several items.

What mileage does a Harley-Davidson XL883 usually have at its MOT?

16,049 miles on average across every age tested, so a description of the fleet rather than an annual figure. Motorcycle mileages are low and vary enormously with use; a commuter bike and a weekend bike of the same age can differ by a factor of ten.