DUCATI 888

888cc Petrol Class 2

#1303 of 5426 overall #70 of 173 DUCATIs #798 of 2787 other bikes

88.9%

first-time pass rate

6.4%

failed outright

19,378

median miles at test

1,994

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The 888's first-time pass rate has risen 6.0 points since 2006, 87.4% to 93.4%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the 888's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage 888 passes first time 88.6% of the time; by 40k that's 87.4%.

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 888

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	96	41.7	0.8×
brakes	50	21.7	0.4×
steering and suspension	27	11.7	0.4×
reg plates and vin	15	6.5	0.9×
tyres and wheels	13	5.7	0.3×
lamps and reflectors	11	4.8	0.3×
fuel and exhaust	9	3.9	0.5×
drive system	3	1.3	0.2×
suspension	3	1.3	0.1×
steering	3	1.3	0.2×

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 888 beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (BMW R1150, TRIUMPH SPRINT, HONDA VFR800 FI).

BMW R1150 88.5% pass · 171k tests TRIUMPH SPRINT 85.6% pass · 133k tests HONDA VFR800 FI 86.7% pass · 89.4k tests KAWASAKI ZX-9R 80.7% pass · 89.0k 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 888.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1994 (89.8% pass). Weakest: 1992 (85.3%).

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 888 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the DUCATI 888 reliable?

The DUCATI 888 is more reliable than average for its class: 88.9% of its 1,994 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1303 of 5426 models.

What does a 888 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 42% of all defects recorded against failed 888 tests.

What is the best year of 888 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1994-registered examples do best (89.8%) and 1992 worst (85.3%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a 888 last?

The median 888 shows 19,378 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 87.4% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.