Harley Davidson Xlh 883 (2009)
2009 Harley Davidson Xlh 883
CarHunch analysed 117 real MOT records for the 2009 Harley Davidson Xlh 883. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
This 2009 Harley-Davidson XLH 883 falls noticeably short of the UK average, with a first-time pass rate of just 70.1% versus the national benchmark of 80%—meaning roughly one in three fail their MOT on the first attempt. The 10.3% dangerous defect rate is manageable and not a major red flag, but it's worth factoring into your inspection checklist.
These bikes average just under 10,000 miles on the odometer, which is reasonable for a 15-year-old cruiser, and the 0.92 failures per vehicle suggests mechanical issues are relatively modest when they do occur. With nearly three advisories per bike on average, budget for some wear-and-tear maintenance, and have an independent Harley specialist run a pre-purchase inspection to catch any brewing problems before they become test failures.
What to check before buying a 2009 Harley Davidson Xlh 883
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 Xlh 883
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 (99%) | 116 | 70.5% | 0.91 |
| Other (1%) | 1 | 25% | 3 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2009 Harley Davidson Xlh 883 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 2009 Harley Davidson Xlh 883 vehicles fall between 5,041 and 11,871 miles.
2009 Harley Davidson Xlh 883 — Still on the Road
43 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 61% 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 Xlh 883?
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