DUCATI 1198 S

1198cc Petrol Class 2

#1243 of 5426 overall #67 of 173 DUCATIs #756 of 2787 other bikes

89.1%

first-time pass rate

5.4%

failed outright

7,447

median miles at test

1,691

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The 1198 S's first-time pass rate has risen 3.3 points since 2012, 85.3% to 88.6%.

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage 1198 S passes first time 89.9% of the time; by 20k that's 89.9%.

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 S

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	61	30.5	0.4×
lamps and reflectors	38	19	0.9×
steering and suspension	22	11	0.3×
reg plates and vin	21	10.5	1.0×
suspension	15	7.5	0.9×
brakes	12	6	0.1×
fuel and exhaust	11	5.5	0.7×
tyres and wheels	9	4.5	0.3×
structure and attachments	6	3	0.5×
Identification of the vehicle	5	2.5	1.3×

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 S beats 3 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 S.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2010 (91.1% pass). Weakest: 2011 (88.3%).

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 S FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the DUCATI 1198 S reliable?

The DUCATI 1198 S is more reliable than average for its class: 89.1% of its 1,691 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1243 of 5426 models.

What does a 1198 S fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 30% of all defects recorded against failed 1198 S tests.

What is the best year of 1198 S to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2010-registered examples do best (91.1%) and 2011 worst (88.3%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a 1198 S last?

The median 1198 S shows 7,447 miles at test, and examples around 20k miles still pass 89.9% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.