BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ DUCATI/M797
Model report · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

DUCATI M797

803cc Petrol Class 2
#2091 of 5428 overall #117 of 173 DUCATIs #1278 of 2788 other bikes
86.4%
first-time pass rate
7.0%
failed outright
5,036
median miles at test
1,494
MOT tests, 2005–2025
-3.3pp
vs expected · age & mileage

The pass rate is the MOT first-time pass: a roadworthiness check of the items an MOT covers (brakes, lights, tyres, steering, structure, emissions), not a full mechanical inspection of engine or gearbox internals. It is a reliability signal, not a complete measure of mechanical reliability. What this measures.

“vs expected” adjusts for age, mileage and test class, so a cherished classic and a hard-used commuter are compared fairly. How this works.

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2020–2025

The M797's first-time pass rate has fallen 5.4 points since 2020, 93.2% to 87.8%.

81%89%96%2020: 93.2% pass (161 tests)2021: 84.8% pass (223 tests)2022: 86.6% pass (284 tests)2023: 83.8% pass (321 tests)2024: 85.0% pass (240 tests)2025: 87.8% pass (262 tests)20202025

What fails on a M797

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded
Component group Share of defects Defects % of defects vs all bikes
brakes
101 52.6 1.0×
lamps and reflectors
54 28.1 1.6×
Identification of the vehicle
14 7.3 4.1×
tyres
7 3.6 0.7×
steering
5 2.6 0.6×
structure and attachments
5 2.6 0.5×
suspension
5 2.6 0.5×
audible warning (Horn)
1 0.5 0.4×

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 M797 beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ZX-6R, SUZUKI GSF600, YAMAHA FZS600).

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

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 M797.

Compare with any bike

rival not listed above? pick any model to see it head-to-head with the M797

More DUCATI models

other DUCATI bikes ranked by MOT pass rate
DUCATI 748 84.9% pass · 24.8k tests
DUCATI MULTISTRADA 89.9% pass · 24.8k tests
DUCATI 996 87.7% pass · 15.1k tests
DUCATI 916 87.0% pass · 13.6k tests
DUCATI 900 87.8% pass · 12.4k tests
DUCATI M 86.3% pass · 9,621 tests

See all DUCATI models →

Pass rate by registration year

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

Highest pass rate: 2019 (87.1%). Lowest: 2018 (85.1%). Every M797 year compared →

84%86%88%2017: 86.9% pass (679 tests)2018: 85.1% pass (470 tests)2019: 87.1% pass (240 tests)2020: 86.2% pass (94 tests)201720192020

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 M797 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the DUCATI M797 reliable?

The DUCATI M797 is about average for its class: 86.4% of its 1,494 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2091 of 5428 models.

What does a M797 fail its MOT on most?

brakes: 53% of all defects recorded against failed M797 tests.

What is the best year of M797 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2019-registered examples do best (87.1%) and 2018 worst (85.1%). Condition and history still trump the year.

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