2018 Harley-Davidson Fxfbs FAT BOB 114 1868 19 1.9L Petrol · LX68 XDG

The 2018 Harley-Davidson FXFBS Fat Bob currently holds a valid MOT certificate issued on 16 May 2024 at 11,230 miles, meaning the most recent test is now over two years old and the vehicle is legally due a fresh examination. The maintenance trend is mixed but broadly improving. The April 2024 failure at 11,156 miles flagged a serious offside front shock absorber fluid leak, a headlamp aim defect, a failed front direction indicator, and a slightly out-of-shape rear tyre. All four items were rectified before the May 2024 retest passed cleanly, with only a minor advisory for uneven rear tyre wear. That progression from failure to pass within a month suggests the previous owner addressed the defects promptly rather than ignoring them. The mileage pattern is unusually low. The bike covered just 2,958 miles between the October 2022 test at 8,272 miles and the April 2024 test at 11,156 miles, averaging roughly 1,972 miles per year over that window. Before that, the annual rate was even lower, around 1,450 miles between September 2021 and October 2022. Over its full life the odometer has advanced only 11,230 miles, which is exceptionally modest for a machine approaching eight years old. Such low annual mileage raises the possibility of prolonged standing, which can cause flat-spotted tyres, stale fuel, moisture ingress in the engine and gearbox, and corrosion of brake discs and internal fuel system components despite the low recorded distance. A buyer should focus the in-person inspection on the front suspension and braking system. The leaking fork oil seal on the offside front shock absorber was a serious defect in April 2024, so the fork leg should be closely examined for fresh oil misting around the stanchion seal, scoring on the chrome stanchion tube, and smooth, undamped compression through the full travel. The rear tyre showed uneven wear at the most recent pass, which may indicate a wheel alignment issue, worn swingarm pivot bearings, or a bent rear axle. Given the low mileage and potential for long static periods, both tyres should be checked for date codes older than five years, sidewall cracking, and flat spots regardless of remaining tread depth. Brake discs and pads deserve attention too, as infrequent use often leads to surface corrosion and glazed pad faces that reduce stopping power even when material remains. The exhaust system has a recurring history. The September 2021 test noted a minor exhaust gas leak at the rear, and the October 2022 pass recorded an advisory for excessive exhaust noise. A buyer should inspect the full exhaust, particularly the rear muffler joints and mounting brackets, for heat discolouration, soot staining, or fresh cracking that could indicate the leak was never fully resolved. Electrically, the failed front direction indicator in April 2024 warrants a check of the left-side indicator lens, wiring connector, and handlebar switch for moisture ingress or corroded terminals, since intermittent faults on motorcycles often stem from connector degradation rather than bulb failure alone.