DUCATI M796

803cc Petrol Class 2

#1639 of 5426 overall #94 of 173 DUCATIs #998 of 2787 other bikes

87.9%

first-time pass rate

6.7%

failed outright

7,808

median miles at test

2,896

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2013–2025

The M796's first-time pass rate has fallen 3.3 points since 2013, 91.1% to 87.8%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the M796's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage M796 passes first time 90.1% of the time; by 30k that's 72.7%.

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 M796

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lamps and reflectors	94	28.8	1.3×
brakes	88	27	0.5×
lighting and signalling	39	12	0.3×
structure and attachments	21	6.4	0.8×
steering and suspension	18	5.5	0.2×
tyres and wheels	16	4.9	0.3×
Identification of the vehicle	14	4.3	2.1×
tyres	14	4.3	0.7×
reg plates and vin	11	3.4	0.5×
suspension	11	3.4	0.5×

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 M796 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 M796.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2011 (88.9% pass). Weakest: 2010 (87.0%).

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 M796 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the DUCATI M796 reliable?

The DUCATI M796 is more reliable than average for its class: 87.9% of its 2,896 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1639 of 5426 models.

What does a M796 fail its MOT on most?

lamps and reflectors — 29% of all defects recorded against failed M796 tests.

What is the best year of M796 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2011-registered examples do best (88.9%) and 2010 worst (87.0%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a M796 last?

The median M796 shows 7,808 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 72.7% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.