2018 Harley-Davidson XL 1200 C Custom Sportster 18 1.2L Petrol · RO18 YPV

A spotless DVSA history defines this 2018 Harley-Davidson XL 1200 C Custom Sportster, with five consecutive MOT tests from January 2022 through July 2025 all returning a clean pass and zero advisories or defects recorded at any point. That absence of even minor wear notes across more than three years of testing points to a motorcycle that has consistently presented in mechanically sound condition, with no historical flags against lighting, braking, steering, suspension, or structural components. The most recent pass on 4 July 2025 reinforces what is clearly a stable and well-maintained roadworthiness profile rather than a one-off clean result. The recorded 10,892 miles over an eight-year ownership window equates to roughly 1,362 miles per year, which is notably low for any motorcycle and particularly so for a Sportster expected to be ridden through the warmer months. The five MOT tests are clustered within a relatively short span from early 2022 to mid-2025, and there is no recorded test prior to February 2022, suggesting the bike may have covered many of its miles under previous test exemptions or that early ownership documentation sits outside the MOT record. The pattern implies a machine used primarily for leisure riding, short runs, or weekend use rather than regular commuting, and the modest annual accumulation means mechanical wear on engine internals, drivetrain components, and consumables is likely to be well below what the calendar age alone might suggest. For a prospective buyer, the priority on inspection shifts away from chasing documented defects and towards verifying that the low-mileage usage has not allowed deterioration through lack of regular exercise. Seals, gaskets, and flexible components on an infrequently used V-twin can harden or weep over time, so it is worth checking the primary and secondary cases for any oil seepage at the base, around the rocker boxes, and at the sump. Brake calipers on a bike that has spent long periods stationary can suffer from binding or sluggish pistons, so during a test ride the front brake should bite cleanly without excessive lever travel and the rear should feel progressive rather than wooden or grabby. The tyres, despite likely modest tread wear, should be examined for sidewall cracking or perishing from age rather than use, as rubber compounds degrade with calendar years regardless of mileage, and the rims checked for any corrosion around the spoke nipples. Finally, the electrical system and battery deserve particular attention given the lay-up risk inherent in low annual mileages. A voltage check at the battery with the engine off should show a healthy resting state, and once running the charging system should hold voltage under load without flickering headlamp output or erratic instrument behaviour. On the move, the Evolution 1200 unit should fire cleanly from cold and warm with no hesitation, misfire, or excessive vibration through the bars or footpegs, while the clutch action, gear selection, and final drive belt should all feel smooth and free of clonks, snatch, or slack. Overall, the DVSA record gives strong reassurance on mechanical integrity, but a careful physical inspection focused on age-related rather than mileage-related wear is the sensible next step before purchase.