Ducati common problems and MOT failures
From 41,548 MOT tests in 2024, 9.0% of Ducati vehicles failed. Below are the most common reasons, ranked by how often they occur.
Top Ducati MOT failure reasons
| # | Problem | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | tyre tread depth outside legal limits | 191 |
| 2 | reflector missing or reflecting white to the rear | 180 |
| 3 | shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely | 159 |
| 4 | brake efficiency below minimum requirement | 152 |
| 5 | number plate does not conform to the specified requirements | 147 |
| 6 | direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 130 |
| 7 | excessive fluctuation in brake effort through each wheel revolution | 127 |
| 8 | stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 107 |
| 9 | brake control has insufficient reserve travel | 99 |
| 10 | headlamp missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led | 96 |
What this means if you're buying a Ducati
The single most common MOT failure for Ducati is tyre tread depth outside legal limits, accounting for 14% of all failure items. A set of new tyres typically costs £200–£500 depending on size.
These figures are from real MOT inspections. They show what testers actually find wrong with Ducati vehicles. If you're viewing a used Ducati, it's worth checking these areas specifically.
Ducati models by MOT pass rate
Lowest pass rates first. These models have the most testable issues.
| Model | Tests | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|
| Hyperstrada | 275 | 81.1% |
| M696 + | 479 | 82% |
| 749 | 363 | 86.2% |
| M821 | 622 | 87.1% |
| 848 Evo | 289 | 87.5% |
| Scrambler Desert Sled | 576 | 87.8% |
| M600 | 273 | 87.9% |
| 999 | 240 | 87.9% |
| Multistrada 1200 S Touring | 224 | 87.9% |
| 959 | 629 | 88.2% |
| M796 | 333 | 88.3% |
| Unclassified | 710 | 88.6% |
| M797 | 239 | 88.7% |
| M | 1,559 | 88.8% |
| 899 | 701 | 89.4% |
Buying a specific Ducati? Check the individual vehicle's MOT history for free on GOV.UK to see its actual test results, advisories, and mileage readings.
Check MOT history on GOV.UK