DUCATI 916

916cc Petrol Class 2

#1910 of 5426 overall #108 of 173 DUCATIs #1155 of 2787 other bikes

87.0%

first-time pass rate

7.3%

failed outright

15,678

median miles at test

13.6k

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The 916's first-time pass rate has risen 5.2 points since 2005, 84.0% to 89.2%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the 916's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage 916 passes first time 88.4% of the time; by 50k 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 916

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	674	37.8	0.9×
brakes	282	15.8	0.4×
steering and suspension	205	11.5	0.4×
reg plates and vin	167	9.4	1.6×
tyres and wheels	159	8.9	0.5×
lamps and reflectors	126	7.1	0.4×
fuel and exhaust	53	3	0.5×
body and structure	50	2.8	0.5×
drive system	40	2.2	0.4×
structure and attachments	27	1.5	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 916 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 916.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2000 (90.1% pass). Weakest: 1971 (79.8%).

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 916 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the DUCATI 916 reliable?

The DUCATI 916 is more reliable than average for its class: 87.0% of its 13,594 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1910 of 5426 models.

What does a 916 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 38% of all defects recorded against failed 916 tests.

What is the best year of 916 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2000-registered examples do best (90.1%) and 1971 worst (79.8%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a 916 last?

The median 916 shows 15,678 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 88.5% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.