DUCATI 999

998cc Petrol Class 2

#2689 of 5426 overall #152 of 173 DUCATIs #1692 of 2787 other bikes

84.2%

first-time pass rate

7.5%

failed outright

9,698

median miles at test

6,719

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2025

The 999's first-time pass rate has risen 1.8 points since 2006, 85.2% to 87.0%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the 999's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage 999 passes first time 85.2% of the time; by 40k that's 91.7%.

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 999

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	376	41	0.9×
lamps and reflectors	118	12.9	0.7×
tyres and wheels	100	10.9	0.7×
reg plates and vin	100	10.9	2.0×
brakes	97	10.6	0.3×
steering and suspension	45	4.9	0.2×
fuel and exhaust	40	4.4	0.7×
body and structure	15	1.6	0.3×
structure and attachments	14	1.5	0.3×
Identification of the vehicle	13	1.4	0.8×

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 999 beats 1 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 999.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2006 (87.0% pass). Weakest: 2003 (82.3%).

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 999 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the DUCATI 999 reliable?

The DUCATI 999 is about average for its class: 84.2% of its 6,719 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2689 of 5426 models.

What does a 999 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 41% of all defects recorded against failed 999 tests.

What is the best year of 999 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2006-registered examples do best (87.0%) and 2003 worst (82.3%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a 999 last?

The median 999 shows 9,698 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 91.7% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.