Harley Davidson XL 1200 X Forty Eight 12 (2012)
2012 Harley Davidson XL 1200 X Forty Eight 12
CarHunch analysed 147 real MOT records for the 2012 Harley Davidson XL 1200 X Forty Eight 12. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
This 2012 Harley-Davidson Forty Eight struggles at the MOT, with a first-time pass rate of just 63.5%—well below the UK average of 80%—meaning nearly four in ten bikes fail their test. The good news is that dangerous defects are rare at 3.4%, so catastrophic safety issues aren't a widespread concern with this model.
At under 6,300 miles on average, these bikes are low-mileage machines, yet they're still accumulating nearly 0.66 failures and 2.4 advisories per test, suggesting age-related wear rather than hard use is the problem. If you're considering one, budget for work on worn components—likely brake lines, lights, or rubber seals—and have a pre-purchase inspection by a Harley-specialist rather than a general mechanic.
What to check before buying a 2012 Harley Davidson XL 1200 X Forty Eight 12
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 X Forty Eight 12
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 (98%) | 144 | 62.8% | 0.67 |
| Other (2%) | 3 | 95.8% | 0.33 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2012 Harley Davidson XL 1200 X Forty Eight 12 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 2012 Harley Davidson XL 1200 X Forty Eight 12 vehicles fall between 2,654 and 8,492 miles.
2012 Harley Davidson XL 1200 X Forty Eight 12 — Still on the Road
51 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 53% of the peak remain.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2015–2025.
MOT History Averages
Found a specific Harley Davidson XL 1200 X Forty Eight 12?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.