Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2008 Harley Davidson Fxdb?

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 2008 Harley Davidson Fxdb?

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 2008 Harley Davidson Fxdb?

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 2008 Harley Davidson Fxdb reliable?

Based on MOT data from 124 vehicles, the 2008 Harley Davidson Fxdb has a first-time MOT pass rate of 90.7%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2008 Harley Davidson Fxdb?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2008 Harley Davidson Fxdb are: Exhaust noisy (224.3% of vehicles), Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (42.7% of vehicles), Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (30.4% 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 2008 Harley Davidson Fxdb?

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 Fxdb (2008)

124 real MOT outcomes analysed • 90.7% first-time pass rate

2008 Harley Davidson Fxdb

CarHunch analysed 124 real MOT records for the 2008 Harley Davidson Fxdb. 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

The 2008 Harley Davidson FXDB passes its MOT first time at 90.7%, which is well above the UK average of 80%, suggesting these bikes are generally well-maintained and mechanically sound. The dangerous defect rate of 12.9% is not a major concern—manageable for a 16-year-old motorcycle and below the threshold that would trigger serious buyer caution.

At a median mileage of just 11,328 miles for a 2008 model, these Dyna Street Bobs have been ridden sparingly, which likely explains the strong pass rate and relatively low 1.07 failures per vehicle. The 4.3 advisories per test suggest routine wear (tyres, brake pads, fluid condition) rather than structural problems—so before buying, have the seller show you receipts for recent service work and always get a pre-purchase inspection from a Harley specialist who can assess frame, forks and engine seals properly.

We have limited data for the 2008 Harley Davidson Fxdb — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

⚠️ Around 1 in 8 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

90.7%

UK average ~80%

Better than average

Dangerous (ever)

12.9%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

1.07

Over 10.9 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

11k

Middle half: 6k–17k

For context

These stats describe 124 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 124 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Exhaust & emissions 224.3%

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 42.7%

Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit

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

Brake wear 21.6%

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

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

Lighting 18.1%

Rear reflector on motorcycle missing · Rear reflector missing · Headlamp aim too low · …

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

Other issues 5.3%

Registration plate does not conform to the specified requirements

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2008.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 124 Harley Davidson Fxdb cars.

Before you buy a 2008 Harley Davidson Fxdb

Based on MOT data from 124 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 12.9% 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 2008 Harley Davidson Fxdb 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.

11,328

typical

5,775

low mileage

16,693

high mileage

Half of all 2008 Harley Davidson Fxdb vehicles fall between 5,775 and 16,693 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 5,775 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.

✓ 5,775–16,693 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2008 Harley Davidson Fxdbs sit.

⚠ Over 22,535 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2008 Harley Davidson Fxdb — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 58% of 2008 Harley Davidson Fxdbs are still active.

56 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 58% 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

10.9

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

1.07

Avg failures per vehicle

4.3

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Harley Davidson Fxdb: All Fxdb years → Which year to buy? →

2007 2009 2014 2015 2016

Or browse all models: Harley Davidson →

Compare with another model

See how the 2008 Harley Davidson Fxdb stacks up against a rival.

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