Harley-Davidson common problems and MOT failures
From 45,779 MOT tests in 2024, 4.3% of Harley-Davidson vehicles failed. Below are the most common reasons, ranked by how often they occur.
Top Harley-Davidson MOT failure reasons
| # | Problem | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | number plate does not conform to the specified requirements | 288 |
| 2 | tyre tread depth outside legal limits | 200 |
| 3 | reflector missing or reflecting white to the rear | 181 |
| 4 | stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 158 |
| 5 | direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 139 |
| 6 | stop lamp(s) remains on when the brakes are released | 126 |
| 7 | brake lining or pad worn below 1.0mm | 120 |
| 8 | the aim of a headlamp is not within limits the requirements | 112 |
| 9 | stop lamp(s) does not illuminate by the operation of both brake controls or remains on when the brakes are released | 101 |
| 10 | rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps | 101 |
What this means if you're buying a Harley-Davidson
The single most common MOT failure for Harley-Davidson is number plate does not conform to the specified requirements, accounting for 19% of all failure items.
These figures are from real MOT inspections — they show what testers actually find wrong with Harley-Davidson vehicles. If you're viewing a used Harley-Davidson, it's worth checking these areas specifically.
Buying a specific Harley-Davidson? Check the individual vehicle's MOT history for free on GOV.UK to see its actual test results, advisories, and mileage readings.
Check MOT history on GOV.UK