DUCATI 749 S

748cc Petrol Class 2

#3006 of 5426 overall #160 of 173 DUCATIs #1903 of 2787 other bikes

82.8%

first-time pass rate

9.1%

failed outright

8,672

median miles at test

2,696

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The 749 S's first-time pass rate has fallen 3.0 points since 2006, 88.9% to 85.9%.

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage 749 S passes first time 84.8% of the time; by 20k that's 79.0%.

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 S

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	204	40.7	1.3×
lamps and reflectors	69	13.8	0.9×
brakes	58	11.6	0.4×
reg plates and vin	57	11.4	2.7×
tyres and wheels	41	8.2	0.6×
fuel and exhaust	19	3.8	0.8×
steering and suspension	18	3.6	0.2×
driving controls	15	3	2.4×
drive system	11	2.2	0.4×
body and structure	9	1.8	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 749 S 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 S.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2007 (88.6% pass). Weakest: 2002 (74.8%).

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 S FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the DUCATI 749 S reliable?

The DUCATI 749 S is less reliable than average for its class: 82.8% of its 2,696 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3006 of 5426 models.

What does a 749 S fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 41% of all defects recorded against failed 749 S tests.

What is the best year of 749 S to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2007-registered examples do best (88.6%) and 2002 worst (74.8%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a 749 S last?

The median 749 S shows 8,672 miles at test, and examples around 20k miles still pass 79.0% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.