DUCATI 998S

998cc Petrol Class 2

#919 of 5426 overall #51 of 173 DUCATIs #560 of 2787 other bikes

90.1%

first-time pass rate

4.7%

failed outright

8,662

median miles at test

645

MOT tests, 2005–2025

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%.

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%.

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	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 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 998S.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2002 (90.7% pass). Weakest: 2005 (88.1%).

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 #919 of 5426 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 — mileage alone rarely kills one.