DUCATI 999S

998cc Petrol Class 2

#2515 of 5426 overall #140 of 173 DUCATIs #1579 of 2787 other bikes

84.9%

first-time pass rate

7.5%

failed outright

8,891

median miles at test

3,268

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The 999S's first-time pass rate has risen 10.6 points since 2006, 78.3% to 88.9%.

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage 999S passes first time 84.6% of the time; by 20k that's 84.7%.

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 999S

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	193	41.1	1.0×
brakes	56	11.9	0.3×
reg plates and vin	50	10.6	1.7×
lamps and reflectors	47	10	0.6×
steering and suspension	41	8.7	0.3×
tyres and wheels	31	6.6	0.5×
fuel and exhaust	22	4.7	0.8×
driving controls	12	2.6	1.6×
body and structure	10	2.1	0.4×
Identification of the vehicle	8	1.7	1.1×

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 999S 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 999S.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2007 (89.7% pass). Weakest: 2002 (73.6%).

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 999S FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the DUCATI 999S reliable?

The DUCATI 999S is about average for its class: 84.9% of its 3,268 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2515 of 5426 models.

What does a 999S fail its MOT on most?

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

What is the best year of 999S to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2007-registered examples do best (89.7%) and 2002 worst (73.6%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a 999S last?

The median 999S shows 8,891 miles at test, and examples around 20k miles still pass 84.7% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.