DUCATI M

821cc Petrol Class 2

#2120 of 5426 overall #119 of 173 DUCATIs #1301 of 2787 other bikes

86.3%

first-time pass rate

8.0%

failed outright

7,455

median miles at test

9,621

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2017–2025

The M's first-time pass rate has risen 2.2 points since 2017, 85.1% to 87.3%.

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage M passes first time 87.4% of the time; by 30k that's 90.5%.

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 M

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
brakes	643	44.7	1.0×
lamps and reflectors	342	23.8	1.7×
structure and attachments	128	8.9	1.7×
tyres	87	6.1	1.2×
Identification of the vehicle	66	4.6	2.9×
suspension	62	4.3	0.7×
lighting and signalling	32	2.2	0.1×
audible warning (Horn)	31	2.2	1.8×
steering	30	2.1	0.5×
steering and suspension	17	1.2	—

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 M beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ZX-6R, SUZUKI GSF600, YAMAHA FZS600).

KAWASAKI ZX-6R 78.1% pass · 174k tests SUZUKI GSF600 77.3% pass · 143k tests YAMAHA FZS600 82.6% pass · 137k tests TRIUMPH SPRINT 85.6% pass · 133k 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 M.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2018 (91.5% pass). Weakest: 2019 (83.3%).

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 M FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the DUCATI M reliable?

The DUCATI M is about average for its class: 86.3% of its 9,621 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2120 of 5426 models.

What does a M fail its MOT on most?

brakes — 45% of all defects recorded against failed M tests.

What is the best year of M to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2018-registered examples do best (91.5%) and 2019 worst (83.3%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a M last?

The median M shows 7,455 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 90.5% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.