DUCATI 996

996cc Petrol Class 2

#1693 of 5426 overall #96 of 173 DUCATIs #1023 of 2787 other bikes

87.7%

first-time pass rate

6.7%

failed outright

12,396

median miles at test

15.1k

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The 996's first-time pass rate has risen 5.6 points since 2005, 88.4% to 94.0%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the 996's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage 996 passes first time 89.7% of the time; by 50k that's 75.0%.

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 996

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	569	31.6	0.7×
brakes	398	22.1	0.4×
steering and suspension	206	11.4	0.4×
tyres and wheels	148	8.2	0.4×
reg plates and vin	142	7.9	1.3×
lamps and reflectors	131	7.3	0.4×
fuel and exhaust	87	4.8	0.7×
body and structure	53	2.9	0.5×
drive system	43	2.4	0.3×
suspension	26	1.4	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 996 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 996.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1998 (89.9% pass). Weakest: 2003 (85.2%).

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 996 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the DUCATI 996 reliable?

The DUCATI 996 is more reliable than average for its class: 87.7% of its 15,085 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1693 of 5426 models.

What does a 996 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 32% of all defects recorded against failed 996 tests.

What is the best year of 996 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1998-registered examples do best (89.9%) and 2003 worst (85.2%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a 996 last?

The median 996 shows 12,396 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 75.0% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.