BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ DUCATI/998S
Model report · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

DUCATI 998S

998cc Petrol Class 2
#921 of 5428 overall #51 of 173 DUCATIs #561 of 2788 other bikes
90.1%
first-time pass rate
4.7%
failed outright
8,662
median miles at test
645
MOT tests, 2005–2025
+3.7pp
vs expected · age & mileage

The pass rate is the MOT first-time pass: a roadworthiness check of the items an MOT covers (brakes, lights, tyres, steering, structure, emissions), not a full mechanical inspection of engine or gearbox internals. It is a reliability signal, not a complete measure of mechanical reliability. What this measures.

“vs expected” adjusts for age, mileage and test class, so a cherished classic and a hard-used commuter are compared fairly. How this works.

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2022

The 998S's first-time pass rate has risen 1.5 points since 2006, 89.4% to 90.9%.

78%89%100%2006: 89.4% pass (47 tests)2007: 95.7% pass (47 tests)2008: 88.5% pass (52 tests)2009: 81.4% pass (43 tests)2010: 84.2% pass (38 tests)2011: 84.1% pass (44 tests)2012: 85.7% pass (35 tests)2013: 87.5% pass (32 tests)2014: 96.7% pass (30 tests)2015: 96.9% pass (32 tests)2016: 96.9% pass (32 tests)2022: 90.9% pass (33 tests)20062022

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage 998S passes first time 89.8% of the time; by 30k that's 96.9%.

85%92%100%0k: 89.8% pass (382 tests)10k: 86.8% pass (174 tests)20k: 98.2% pass (56 tests)30k: 96.9% pass (32 tests)0k20k30k

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 998S

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded
Component group Share of defects Defects % of defects vs all bikes
brakes
12 22.6 0.3×
lighting and signalling
11 20.8 0.4×
reg plates and vin
10 18.9 1.6×
fuel and exhaust
6 11.3 1.0×
lamps and reflectors
5 9.4 0.4×
steering and suspension
4 7.5 0.2×
tyres and wheels
2 3.8 0.2×
drive system
1 1.9 0.2×
steering
1 1.9 0.4×
body and structure
1 1.9 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 998S beats 3 of its 4 closest rivals (BMW R1200, BMW R1150, TRIUMPH SPRINT).

BMW R1200 92.9% pass · 299k tests Compare head-to-head →
BMW R1150 88.5% pass · 171k tests Compare head-to-head →
TRIUMPH SPRINT 85.6% pass · 133k tests Compare head-to-head →
SUZUKI GSF1200 82.4% pass · 97.6k tests Compare head-to-head →

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 998S.

Compare with any bike

rival not listed above? pick any model to see it head-to-head with the 998S

More DUCATI models

other DUCATI bikes ranked by MOT pass rate
DUCATI 748 84.9% pass · 24.8k tests
DUCATI MULTISTRADA 89.9% pass · 24.8k tests
DUCATI 996 87.7% pass · 15.1k tests
DUCATI 916 87.0% pass · 13.6k tests
DUCATI 900 87.8% pass · 12.4k tests
DUCATI M 86.3% pass · 9,621 tests

See all DUCATI models →

Pass rate by registration year

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

Highest pass rate: 2002 (90.7%). Lowest: 2005 (88.1%). Every 998S year compared →

87%89%92%2002: 90.7% pass (443 tests)2004: 89.7% pass (87 tests)2005: 88.1% pass (59 tests)200220042005

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 998S FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the DUCATI 998S reliable?

The DUCATI 998S is more reliable than average for its class: 90.1% of its 645 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #921 of 5428 models.

What does a 998S fail its MOT on most?

brakes: 23% of all defects recorded against failed 998S tests.

What is the best year of 998S to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2002-registered examples do best (90.7%) and 2005 worst (88.1%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a 998S last?

The median 998S shows 8,662 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 96.9% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.

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