Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2005 Harley Davidson Flstfia?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2005 Harley Davidson Flstfia?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2005 Harley Davidson Flstfia?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

Is the 2005 Harley Davidson Flstfia reliable?

Based on MOT data from 155 vehicles, the 2005 Harley Davidson Flstfia has a first-time MOT pass rate of 91.1%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2005 Harley Davidson Flstfia?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2005 Harley Davidson Flstfia are: Exhaust noisy (254.2% of vehicles), Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (35.9% of vehicles), Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (24.6% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2005 Harley Davidson Flstfia?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Harley Davidson Flstfia (2005)

155 real MOT outcomes analysed • 91.1% first-time pass rate

2005 Harley Davidson Flstfia

CarHunch analysed 155 real MOT records for the 2005 Harley Davidson Flstfia. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Compare Models

This 2005 Harley-Davidson FLSTFIA is notably reliable, passing first-time MOT in 91.1% of cases—well above the UK average of 80%—with only 4.5% of vehicles ever flagged for a dangerous defect, so safety concerns are minimal. Petrol versus diesel is not a factor on a motorcycle, and the data reflects a cohort of machines that owners clearly maintain with care.

The median mileage of 8,502 miles is remarkably low for a 19-year-old machine, suggesting these are cherished bikes ridden sparingly rather than commuters, which naturally keeps wear and tear down. An average of 1.14 failures and 3.7 advisories per vehicle points to minor wear items (likely brakes, lighting, and exhaust) rather than structural problems—typical for a classic cruiser. If you're considering one, have a pre-purchase inspection focus on brake condition and fuel system integrity, as these tend to be the common pain points.

We have limited data for the 2005 Harley Davidson Flstfia — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

First-time pass

91.1%

UK average ~80%

Better than average

Dangerous (ever)

4.5%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

1.14

Over 11.5 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

Middle half: 4k–14k

For context

These stats describe 155 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

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What tends to go wrong

Across 155 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Exhaust & emissions 254.2%

Exhaust noisy · Rear Exhaust noisy · Exhaust noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motor bicycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition · …

Tyre wear 35.9%

Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Rear Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Lighting 13.4%

Rear reflector on motorcycle missing · Headlamp aim too low

Usually cheap to fix. Worth confirming all lights work before collecting.

Other issues 9.2%

Registration plate incorrect · Registration plate with character(s) which are not the correct height · Registration plate with character(s) which are not the correct width

Brake wear 8.5%

Rear Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit · Front Roller brake test indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort · Front Brake indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2005.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 155 Harley Davidson Flstfia cars.

Before you buy a 2005 Harley Davidson Flstfia

Based on MOT data from 155 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 4.5% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Mileage Distribution

Most 2005 Harley Davidson Flstfia vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

8,502

typical

4,403

low mileage

14,007

high mileage

Half of all 2005 Harley Davidson Flstfia vehicles fall between 4,403 and 14,007 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 4,403 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 4,403–14,007 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2005 Harley Davidson Flstfias sit.

⚠ Over 18,909 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2005 Harley Davidson Flstfia — Still on the Road

Most 2005 Harley Davidson Flstfias are still being driven.

69 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 73% of the peak remain.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

11.5

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

1.14

Avg failures per vehicle

3.7

Avg advisories per vehicle

Compare with another model

See how the 2005 Harley Davidson Flstfia stacks up against a rival.

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