DUCATI 998

998cc Petrol Class 2

#1075 of 5426 overall #61 of 173 DUCATIs #661 of 2787 other bikes

89.6%

first-time pass rate

5.4%

failed outright

9,657

median miles at test

4,386

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The 998's first-time pass rate has risen 10.1 points since 2005, 85.4% to 95.5%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the 998's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage 998 passes first time 90.5% of the time; by 30k that's 90.0%.

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 998

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	143	33.1	0.5×
brakes	84	19.4	0.3×
reg plates and vin	57	13.2	1.5×
steering and suspension	48	11.1	0.3×
tyres and wheels	34	7.9	0.3×
lamps and reflectors	22	5.1	0.2×
fuel and exhaust	15	3.5	0.4×
body and structure	12	2.8	0.5×
drive system	10	2.3	0.3×
suspension	7	1.6	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 998 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 998.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2004 (89.9% pass). Weakest: 2003 (89.4%).

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 998 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the DUCATI 998 reliable?

The DUCATI 998 is more reliable than average for its class: 89.6% of its 4,386 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1075 of 5426 models.

What does a 998 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 33% of all defects recorded against failed 998 tests.

What is the best year of 998 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2004-registered examples do best (89.9%) and 2003 worst (89.4%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a 998 last?

The median 998 shows 9,657 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 90.0% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.