DUCATI 1098 S

1098cc Petrol Class 2

#1818 of 5426 overall #103 of 173 DUCATIs #1101 of 2787 other bikes

87.3%

first-time pass rate

5.8%

failed outright

8,596

median miles at test

4,262

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2010–2025

The 1098 S's first-time pass rate has risen 3.9 points since 2010, 83.4% to 87.3%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the 1098 S's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage 1098 S passes first time 87.9% of the time; by 30k that's 89.7%.

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 1098 S

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	111	23.5	0.4×
lamps and reflectors	75	15.9	0.6×
steering and suspension	57	12.1	0.4×
reg plates and vin	50	10.6	1.3×
brakes	47	10	0.2×
tyres and wheels	46	9.7	0.5×
fuel and exhaust	32	6.8	0.9×
suspension	19	4	0.5×
Identification of the vehicle	18	3.8	1.8×
structure and attachments	17	3.6	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 1098 S beats 2 of its 4 closest rivals (BMW R1200, BMW R1150, TRIUMPH SPRINT).

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

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 1098 S.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2009 (88.9% pass). Weakest: 2006 (84.0%).

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 1098 S FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the DUCATI 1098 S reliable?

The DUCATI 1098 S is more reliable than average for its class: 87.3% of its 4,262 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1818 of 5426 models.

What does a 1098 S fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 24% of all defects recorded against failed 1098 S tests.

What is the best year of 1098 S to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2009-registered examples do best (88.9%) and 2006 worst (84.0%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a 1098 S last?

The median 1098 S shows 8,596 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 89.7% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.