DUCATI 748

748cc Petrol Class 2

#2515 of 5426 overall #140 of 173 DUCATIs #1579 of 2787 other bikes

84.9%

first-time pass rate

8.7%

failed outright

13,894

median miles at test

24.8k

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2005–2025

The 748's first-time pass rate has risen 8.7 points since 2005, 83.6% to 92.3%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the 748's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage 748 passes first time 87.7% of the time; by 50k that's 85.1%.

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 748

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	1,394	34.5	1.0×
brakes	755	18.7	0.5×
steering and suspension	459	11.4	0.5×
tyres and wheels	415	10.3	0.7×
reg plates and vin	334	8.3	1.7×
lamps and reflectors	224	5.5	0.4×
body and structure	150	3.7	0.9×
drive system	132	3.3	0.6×
fuel and exhaust	124	3.1	0.6×
suspension	56	1.4	0.3×

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 748 beats 3 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ZX-6R, SUZUKI GSF600, YAMAHA FZS600).

KAWASAKI ZX-6R 78.1% pass · 174k tests SUZUKI GSF600 77.3% pass · 143k tests YAMAHA FZS600 82.6% pass · 137k tests TRIUMPH SPRINT 85.6% pass · 133k 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 748.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2002 (86.4% pass). Weakest: 1994 (80.9%).

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 748 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the DUCATI 748 reliable?

The DUCATI 748 is about average for its class: 84.9% of its 24,849 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2515 of 5426 models.

What does a 748 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 34% of all defects recorded against failed 748 tests.

What is the best year of 748 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2003-registered examples do best (86.4%) and 1994 worst (80.9%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a 748 last?

The median 748 shows 13,894 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 85.1% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.