DUCATI 1198

1198cc Petrol Class 2

#1541 of 5426 overall #90 of 173 DUCATIs #936 of 2787 other bikes

88.2%

first-time pass rate

4.6%

failed outright

8,664

median miles at test

2,077

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2012–2025

The 1198's first-time pass rate has risen 7.2 points since 2012, 85.9% to 93.1%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the 1198's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage 1198 passes first time 88.7% of the time; by 20k that's 86.2%.

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 1198

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lamps and reflectors	32	18.5	0.7×
lighting and signalling	31	17.9	0.3×
brakes	25	14.5	0.2×
reg plates and vin	21	12.1	0.8×
tyres and wheels	19	11	0.4×
Identification of the vehicle	12	6.9	2.5×
fuel and exhaust	10	5.8	0.6×
suspension	9	5.2	0.5×
tyres	7	4	0.4×
steering and suspension	7	4	0.1×

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 1198 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 1198.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2011 (89.8% pass). Weakest: 2009 (86.7%).

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 1198 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the DUCATI 1198 reliable?

The DUCATI 1198 is more reliable than average for its class: 88.2% of its 2,077 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1541 of 5426 models.

What does a 1198 fail its MOT on most?

lamps and reflectors — 18% of all defects recorded against failed 1198 tests.

What is the best year of 1198 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2011-registered examples do best (89.8%) and 2009 worst (86.7%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a 1198 last?

The median 1198 shows 8,664 miles at test, and examples around 20k miles still pass 86.2% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.