DUCATI 899

898cc Petrol Class 2

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

88.9%

first-time pass rate

5.1%

failed outright

7,946

median miles at test

5,141

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2016–2025

The 899's first-time pass rate has risen 6.1 points since 2016, 82.9% to 89.0%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the 899's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage 899 passes first time 90.3% of the time; by 30k that's 88.5%.

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 899

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lamps and reflectors	144	34	1.3×
brakes	47	11.1	0.2×
tyres	43	10.2	1.2×
suspension	40	9.5	0.9×
Identification of the vehicle	39	9.2	3.3×
structure and attachments	34	8	0.7×
lighting and signalling	31	7.3	0.1×
audible warning (Horn)	20	4.7	2.1×
steering	15	3.5	0.6×
reg plates and vin	10	2.4	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 899 beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (BMW R1150, TRIUMPH SPRINT, SUZUKI GSF1200).

BMW R1150 88.5% pass · 171k tests TRIUMPH SPRINT 85.6% pass · 133k tests SUZUKI GSF1200 82.4% pass · 97.6k tests HONDA VFR800 FI 86.7% pass · 89.4k 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 899.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2015 (89.3% pass). Weakest: 2013 (88.4%).

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 899 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the DUCATI 899 reliable?

The DUCATI 899 is more reliable than average for its class: 88.9% of its 5,141 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1303 of 5426 models.

What does a 899 fail its MOT on most?

lamps and reflectors — 34% of all defects recorded against failed 899 tests.

What is the best year of 899 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2015-registered examples do best (89.3%) and 2013 worst (88.4%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a 899 last?

The median 899 shows 7,946 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 88.5% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.