DUCATI 959

955cc Petrol Class 2

#565 of 5426 overall #34 of 173 DUCATIs #343 of 2787 other bikes

91.5%

first-time pass rate

3.6%

failed outright

5,917

median miles at test

2,726

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2019–2025

The 959's first-time pass rate has held steady since 2019 (91.7% → 90.9%).

Pass rate by mileage

how the 959's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage 959 passes first time 91.4% of the time; by 20k that's 86.1%.

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 959

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lamps and reflectors	70	41.2	1.2×
structure and attachments	25	14.7	1.0×
Identification of the vehicle	25	14.7	4.0×
brakes	19	11.2	0.1×
tyres	15	8.8	0.8×
steering	9	5.3	0.6×
audible warning (Horn)	4	2.4	0.8×
suspension	3	1.8	0.1×

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 959 beats 3 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 959.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2015 (93.1% pass). Weakest: 2018 (89.3%).

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 959 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the DUCATI 959 reliable?

The DUCATI 959 is more reliable than average for its class: 91.5% of its 2,726 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #565 of 5426 models.

What does a 959 fail its MOT on most?

lamps and reflectors — 41% of all defects recorded against failed 959 tests.

What is the best year of 959 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2015-registered examples do best (93.1%) and 2018 worst (89.3%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a 959 last?

The median 959 shows 5,917 miles at test, and examples around 20k miles still pass 86.1% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.