Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2016 Harley Davidson XL?

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 2016 Harley Davidson XL?

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 2016 Harley Davidson XL?

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 2016 Harley Davidson XL reliable?

Based on MOT data from 1,128 vehicles, the 2016 Harley Davidson XL has a first-time MOT pass rate of 90.8%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2016 Harley Davidson XL?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2016 Harley Davidson XL are: Exhaust noisy (157.6% of vehicles), Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (15.7% of vehicles), COVID-19 6 MONTH EXTENSION (13.4% 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 2016 Harley Davidson XL?

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 XL (2016)

1,128 real MOT outcomes analysed • 90.8% first-time pass rate

2016 Harley Davidson XL

CarHunch analysed 1,128 real MOT records for the 2016 Harley Davidson XL. 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 Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2016 Harley Davidson XL is a solidly reliable machine, passing its MOT first time in 90.8% of cases—well above the UK average of 80%. Dangerous defects are uncommon, affecting just 12.5% of the fleet, which is reassuring for a buyer prioritising safety.

These bikes are being ridden lightly, with a median of only 5,614 miles at test time, suggesting many are weekend warriors rather than commuters. The average vehicle racks up just 0.63 failures per test and 2.7 advisories, pointing to well-maintained machines overall—so before you buy, run a full service history check to confirm the previous owner kept up with routine work.

The 2016 Harley Davidson XL passes its MOT first time more often than most UK vehicles (90.8% vs ~80% average) — and when it does fail, it's usually something minor and cheap to fix.

⚠️ 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

90.8%

UK average ~80%

Better than average

Dangerous (ever)

12.5%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.63

Over 5.8 tests on record

Moderate

Typical mileage

Middle half: 3k–9k

For context

✅ Good baseline reliability. A 90.8% first-time pass rate puts this well above the UK average — it's a well-sorted vehicle in this age bracket.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 2.7 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 1,128 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.

A solid choice — agree?

What tends to go wrong

Across 1,128 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Exhaust & emissions 157.6%

Exhaust noisy · Rear Exhaust noisy · Offside Rear Exhaust noisy · …

Tyre wear 15.7%

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.

Other issues 13.4%

COVID-19 6 MONTH EXTENSION · Registration plate does not conform to the specified requirements · Rear Registration plate does not conform to the specified requirements

Lighting 11.8%

Rear reflector missing · Headlamp aim too low · Headlamp aim too high

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

Brake wear 7.4%

Rear Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit · Front Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit · Front Brake binding but not excessively · …

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 2016.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 1,128 Harley Davidson XL cars.

Before you buy a 2016 Harley Davidson XL

Based on MOT data from 1,128 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 12.5% 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

Colour Breakdown

Based on 3,497 Harley Davidson XL vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Black 65%

2,274

Grey 8.5%

297

Blue 4.4%

153

Orange 3.8%

134

Red 3.7%

128

Gold 3.3%

115

Beige 2.9%

102

Silver 2.4%

White 2%

Green 1.8%

Maroon 1.3%

Purple 0.9%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2016 Harley Davidson XL 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.

5,614

typical

3,296

low mileage

8,889

high mileage

Half of all 2016 Harley Davidson XL vehicles fall between 3,296 and 8,889 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 3,296 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.

✓ 3,296–8,889 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2016 Harley Davidson XLs sit.

⚠ Over 12,000 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2016 Harley Davidson XL — Still on the Road

Most 2016 Harley Davidson XLs are still being driven.

Strong survival — 747 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 81% of the peak.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2019–2025.
* 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

5.8

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.63

Avg failures per vehicle

2.7

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

2014 2015

Or browse all models: Harley Davidson →

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