Harley Davidson XL 1200 Low Sportster (2006)
2006 Harley Davidson XL 1200 Low Sportster
CarHunch analysed 130 real MOT records for the 2006 Harley Davidson XL 1200 Low Sportster. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
This 2006 Harley-Davidson XL 1200 Low Sportster is about as reliable as the average UK vehicle, with an 80.5% first-time MOT pass rate that matches the national benchmark, and only 5.4% of machines ever recorded a dangerous defect—well below concern territory. The real story is in the advisories: owners are flagged an average of 3.3 minor issues per test, which suggests wear-and-tear accumulation is normal for bikes of this age.
At a median mileage of 8,651 miles, these Sportsters are relatively lightly ridden for their 18 years, yet still average 0.76 failures per vehicle, pointing to age-related deterioration rather than abuse. If you're considering one, prioritize a pre-purchase inspection of fuel system components and electrical connectors, where most advisories cluster on machines this old.
What to check before buying a 2006 Harley Davidson XL 1200 Low Sportster
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Harley Davidson XL 1200 Low Sportster
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (96%) | 125 | 79.9% | 0.78 |
| Other (2%) | 3 | 94.4% | 0.33 |
| Diesel (2%) | 2 | 100% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2006 Harley Davidson XL 1200 Low Sportster vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 2006 Harley Davidson XL 1200 Low Sportster vehicles fall between 5,040 and 13,129 miles.
2006 Harley Davidson XL 1200 Low Sportster — Still on the Road
55 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 72% 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.
MOT History Averages
Found a specific Harley Davidson XL 1200 Low Sportster?
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