DUCATI M797

803cc Petrol Class 2

#2089 of 5426 overall #117 of 173 DUCATIs #1277 of 2787 other bikes

86.4%

first-time pass rate

7.0%

failed outright

5,036

median miles at test

1,494

MOT tests, 2005–2025

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%.

What fails on a M797

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	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 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 M797.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2019 (87.1% pass). Weakest: 2018 (85.1%).

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 #2089 of 5426 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.