DUCATI 900SS

904cc Petrol Class 2

#1784 of 5426 overall #101 of 173 DUCATIs #1084 of 2787 other bikes

87.4%

first-time pass rate

7.1%

failed outright

18,878

median miles at test

2,831

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2005–2025

The 900SS's first-time pass rate has risen 4.0 points since 2005, 86.5% to 90.5%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the 900SS's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage 900SS passes first time 89.9% of the time; by 50k that's 92.3%.

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 900SS

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	109	30.9	0.7×
steering and suspension	66	18.7	0.6×
brakes	62	17.6	0.4×
tyres and wheels	33	9.3	0.5×
lamps and reflectors	26	7.4	0.3×
suspension	14	4	0.4×
fuel and exhaust	13	3.7	0.6×
reg plates and vin	13	3.7	0.7×
drive system	9	2.5	0.4×
structure and attachments	8	2.3	0.3×

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 900SS beats 2 of its 4 closest rivals (BMW R1200, BMW R1150, TRIUMPH SPRINT).

BMW R1200 92.9% pass · 299k tests BMW R1150 88.5% pass · 171k tests TRIUMPH SPRINT 85.6% pass · 133k tests SUZUKI GSF1200 82.4% pass · 97.6k 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 900SS.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1996 (90.7% pass). Weakest: 1979 (84.0%).

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 900SS FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the DUCATI 900SS reliable?

The DUCATI 900SS is more reliable than average for its class: 87.4% of its 2,831 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1784 of 5426 models.

What does a 900SS fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 31% of all defects recorded against failed 900SS tests.

What is the best year of 900SS to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1996-registered examples do best (90.7%) and 1979 worst (84.0%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a 900SS last?

The median 900SS shows 18,878 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 92.3% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.