DUCATI 851

851cc Petrol Class 2

#1369 of 5426 overall #77 of 173 DUCATIs #838 of 2787 other bikes

88.7%

first-time pass rate

6.1%

failed outright

20,455

median miles at test

1,810

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The 851's first-time pass rate has risen 2.4 points since 2006, 88.8% to 91.2%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the 851's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage 851 passes first time 91.7% of the time; by 50k that's 73.0%.

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 851

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	74	34.4	0.6×
brakes	43	20	0.5×
steering and suspension	33	15.3	0.5×
tyres and wheels	18	8.4	0.4×
lamps and reflectors	12	5.6	0.2×
fuel and exhaust	11	5.1	0.7×
reg plates and vin	9	4.2	0.8×
audible warning (Horn)	6	2.8	1.8×
drive system	5	2.3	0.3×
Identification of the vehicle	4	1.9	1.0×

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 851 beats 4 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 851.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1991 (91.3% pass). Weakest: 1990 (85.9%).

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 851 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the DUCATI 851 reliable?

The DUCATI 851 is more reliable than average for its class: 88.7% of its 1,810 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1369 of 5426 models.

What does a 851 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 34% of all defects recorded against failed 851 tests.

What is the best year of 851 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1991-registered examples do best (91.3%) and 1990 worst (85.9%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a 851 last?

The median 851 shows 20,455 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 73.0% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.