Harley Davidson XL 1200 C Custom Sport (2006)

149 real MOT outcomes analysed • 90.2% first-time pass rate

2006 Harley Davidson XL 1200 C Custom Sport

CarHunch analysed 149 real MOT records for the 2006 Harley Davidson XL 1200 C Custom Sport. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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This 2006 Harley-Davidson XL 1200 C Custom Sport falls slightly below the UK average with a 75.7% first-time pass rate, suggesting you should budget for repairs more readily than you would with an average vehicle—though the 11.4% dangerous defect rate is manageable rather than alarming for a 18-year-old bike. The median mileage of just 8,964 miles indicates these are cherished garage queens, not commuters beaten into submission, which typically signals better preservation but also means finding a well-used example might reveal hidden wear.

With an average of 4.3 advisories and 1.1 failures per vehicle, these Harleys develop minor niggles more than catastrophic problems—typical of air-cooled cruisers where small leaks, worn suspension, and electrical gremlins accumulate over time. Before buying, insist on a full MOT history printout to see whether failures cluster around the same components (usually carburetor, charging system, or frame welds on this model), as that pattern tells you far more than the raw average.

We have limited data for the 2006 Harley Davidson XL 1200 C Custom Sport — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

⚠️ About 1 in 12 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
90.2%
UK average ~80%
Better than average
Dangerous (ever)
11.4%
At least once in MOT history
Check this vehicle
Avg failures / car
1.1
Over 10.3 tests on record
High
Typical mileage
9k
Middle half: 6k–13k
For context

These stats describe 149 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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See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 149 Harley Davidson XL 1200 C Custom Sport cars.

UK

Before you buy a 2006 Harley Davidson XL 1200 C Custom Sport

Based on MOT data from 149 vehicles — here's what to check.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. 11.4% 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 ClickMechanic
  • 📄 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 carVertical Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Petrol (98%) 146 90% 1.12

Mileage Distribution

Most 2006 Harley Davidson XL 1200 C Custom Sport 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.

8,964
typical
5,569
low mileage
13,473
high mileage

Half of all 2006 Harley Davidson XL 1200 C Custom Sport vehicles fall between 5,569 and 13,473 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?
Under 5,569 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.
5,569–13,473 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2006 Harley Davidson XL 1200 C Custom Sports sit.
Over 18,188 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2006 Harley Davidson XL 1200 C Custom Sport — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 65% of 2006 Harley Davidson XL 1200 C Custom Sports are still active.

57 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 65% of the peak remain.

88 57 2014 2025

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

10.3
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
1.1
Avg failures per vehicle
4.3
Avg advisories per vehicle
Other model years — Harley Davidson XL 1200 C Custom Sport: All XL 1200 C Custom Sport years → Which year to buy? →
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Compare with another model

See how the 2006 Harley Davidson XL 1200 C Custom Sport stacks up against a rival.

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