DUCATI 749

748cc Petrol Class 2

#2658 of 5426 overall #150 of 173 DUCATIs #1672 of 2787 other bikes

84.3%

first-time pass rate

7.8%

failed outright

9,366

median miles at test

8,823

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2025

The 749's first-time pass rate has risen 2.9 points since 2006, 85.8% to 88.7%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the 749's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage 749 passes first time 85.2% of the time; by 30k that's 86.0%.

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 749

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	492	37.3	0.9×
lamps and reflectors	167	12.7	0.7×
brakes	166	12.6	0.3×
reg plates and vin	139	10.5	1.8×
tyres and wheels	137	10.4	0.7×
steering and suspension	77	5.8	0.3×
drive system	43	3.3	0.5×
body and structure	38	2.9	0.7×
fuel and exhaust	34	2.6	0.4×
driving controls	27	2	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 749 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 749.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2005 (86.3% pass). Weakest: 2008 (79.9%).

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 749 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the DUCATI 749 reliable?

The DUCATI 749 is about average for its class: 84.3% of its 8,823 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2658 of 5426 models.

What does a 749 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 37% of all defects recorded against failed 749 tests.

What is the best year of 749 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2005-registered examples do best (86.3%) and 2008 worst (79.9%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a 749 last?

The median 749 shows 9,366 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 86.0% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.