2018 Harley-Davidson Flfbs Fatboy 114 1868 18 1.9L Petrol · FB18 BAD

A Harley-Davidson Softail of this vintage with only three recorded MOT tests across roughly eight years presents a roadworthiness picture defined more by absence than defect history. The most recent examination on 25 November 2025 resulted in a pass with no advisories or failures recorded, and this clean outcome is consistent with the prior test in April 2023 which also passed without any noted defects. There has been no recorded MOT failure at any point, and no advisories beyond a single front tyre observation in 2022, which suggests the bike has not accumulated the kind of recurring mechanical or corrosion concerns that would typically surface on a machine of this age. The gap between the 2023 and 2025 tests is consistent with the biennial MOT cycle applicable to vehicles over three years old, so there is no indication of an off-road absence. Overall the documented record points to stable roadworthiness, though it must be noted that only a small number of tests are on file, which limits how confidently any long-term mechanical trend can be read from the DVSA history alone. With 18,258 miles recorded over approximately eight years, the annual mileage works out at around 2,280 miles per year, which is very low for a motorcycle and indicates either genuinely light use or periods of inactivity. For a heavyweight cruiser like the Fat Boy 114, such modest accumulation means brake pads, discs, chain or belt drive components, tyres, and suspension internals will have experienced only limited wear in terms of distance covered, but age-related degradation of seals, hoses, brake fluid, fuel system components, and battery condition can still occur regardless of mileage. The four tests span from June 2021 through November 2025, covering roughly 4.4 years of recorded MOT history, while the vehicle itself dates back to 2018, so there are several years at the start of its life without any MOT record on file as it would not have required testing until reaching three years of age. No unusual mileage jump is visible between consecutive tests, and the recorded readings are consistent with a pattern of gradual, low-rate accumulation rather than heavy touring use or sudden long-distance journeys. For a prospective buyer, the only component-specific advisory on the record is the front tyre noted as worn close to the legal limit at the May 2022 test, which has since been resolved given the clean 2023 and 2025 results. On inspection, the front tyre should be checked for age-related cracking of the sidewall and tread, even if tread depth is adequate, as tyres degrade with age regardless of mileage on a low-use machine, and the same applies to the rear. Brake feel should be tested with attention to lever travel and any binding or sponginess at the calipers, as low annual mileage combined with the softail platform can allow surface corrosion to form on the brake discs, producing a judder on initial application that typically dissipates after a few stops. The belt or primary drive should be inspected for tension and condition, and the fork seals watched for any oil misting on the stanchions after a test ride over uneven surfaces, since suspension wear on a heavyweight cruiser often manifests as a vague or wallowing front end rather than a sharp knocking noise. Finally, given the long periods of likely standing between short riding seasons, electrical systems, the battery resting voltage, and any rubber gaiters or seals around the engine and transmission should be examined closely, as these items are more vulnerable to age than to distance on a low-mileage Harley-Davidson of this profile.