BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ DUCATI/1000DS
Model report · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

DUCATI 1000DS

992cc Petrol Class 2
#3218 of 5428 overall #167 of 173 DUCATIs #2048 of 2788 other bikes
81.8%
first-time pass rate
11.1%
failed outright
10,964
median miles at test
917
MOT tests, 2005–2025
-4.0pp
vs expected · age & mileage

The pass rate is the MOT first-time pass: a roadworthiness check of the items an MOT covers (brakes, lights, tyres, steering, structure, emissions), not a full mechanical inspection of engine or gearbox internals. It is a reliability signal, not a complete measure of mechanical reliability. What this measures.

“vs expected” adjusts for age, mileage and test class, so a cherished classic and a hard-used commuter are compared fairly. How this works.

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2022

The 1000DS's first-time pass rate has risen 3.8 points since 2006, 86.5% to 90.3%.

68%82%95%2006: 86.5% pass (37 tests)2007: 84.1% pass (69 tests)2008: 85.3% pass (68 tests)2009: 80.0% pass (75 tests)2010: 87.3% pass (63 tests)2011: 78.3% pass (69 tests)2012: 79.0% pass (62 tests)2013: 82.8% pass (64 tests)2014: 75.9% pass (54 tests)2015: 80.0% pass (50 tests)2016: 83.0% pass (47 tests)2017: 79.5% pass (44 tests)2018: 82.4% pass (34 tests)2021: 72.7% pass (33 tests)2022: 90.3% pass (31 tests)20062022

Pass rate by mileage

how the 1000DS's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage 1000DS passes first time 84.4% of the time; by 20k that's 83.3%.

78%82%85%0k: 84.4% pass (403 tests)10k: 79.4% pass (350 tests)20k: 83.3% pass (126 tests)0k10k20k

First-time pass rate by odometer reading at test, 10,000-mile bands for this model. Mileage is the strongest reliability signal. See the full curve.

What fails on a 1000DS

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded
Component group Share of defects Defects % of defects vs all bikes
lighting and signalling
78 43.6 1.5×
brakes
27 15.1 0.6×
steering and suspension
18 10.1 0.6×
tyres and wheels
15 8.4 0.8×
lamps and reflectors
12 6.7 0.6×
reg plates and vin
11 6.1 1.0×
structure and attachments
7 3.9 1.0×
fuel and exhaust
5 2.8 0.7×
drive system
3 1.7 0.5×
steering
3 1.7 0.5×

Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects. "vs all bikes" is how often this model's tests record a defect in the group, as a multiple of the all-bike rate.

How rivals compare

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the 1000DS beats 0 of its 4 closest rivals (BMW R1200, BMW R1150, TRIUMPH SPRINT).

BMW R1200 92.9% pass · 299k tests Compare head-to-head →
BMW R1150 88.5% pass · 171k tests Compare head-to-head →
TRIUMPH SPRINT 85.6% pass · 133k tests Compare head-to-head →
SUZUKI GSF1200 82.4% pass · 97.6k tests Compare head-to-head →

Rivals share this bike's type and sit within ±30% of its engine capacity, ≥ 5,000 tests. Card colour = better/worse first-time pass rate than the 1000DS.

Compare with any bike

rival not listed above? pick any model to see it head-to-head with the 1000DS

More DUCATI models

other DUCATI bikes ranked by MOT pass rate
DUCATI 748 84.9% pass · 24.8k tests
DUCATI MULTISTRADA 89.9% pass · 24.8k tests
DUCATI 996 87.7% pass · 15.1k tests
DUCATI 916 87.0% pass · 13.6k tests
DUCATI 900 87.8% pass · 12.4k tests
DUCATI M 86.3% pass · 9,621 tests

See all DUCATI models →

Pass rate by registration year

how each model-year cohort fares · registration year from first use date

Highest pass rate: 2005 (93.0%). Lowest: 2003 (80.1%). Every 1000DS year compared →

78%87%96%2003: 80.1% pass (392 tests)2004: 81.4% pass (291 tests)2005: 93.0% pass (71 tests)2006: 87.5% pass (64 tests)200320052006

First-time pass rate by the year each bike was first registered (cohorts with ≥ 50 tests). Older cohorts are survivors: the worst examples have already left the road, which tends to lift the earliest years.

DUCATI 1000DS FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the DUCATI 1000DS reliable?

The DUCATI 1000DS is less reliable than average for its class: 81.8% of its 917 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3218 of 5428 models.

What does a 1000DS fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling: 44% of all defects recorded against failed 1000DS tests.

What is the best year of 1000DS to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2005-registered examples do best (93.0%) and 2003 worst (80.1%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a 1000DS last?

The median 1000DS shows 10,964 miles at test, and examples around 20k miles still pass 83.3% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.

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