DUCATI MONSTER S2R
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
The MONSTER S2R's first-time pass rate has fallen 4.9 points since 2008, 90.8% to 85.9%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage MONSTER S2R passes first time 88.7% of the time; by 30k that's 85.5%.
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 MONSTER S2R
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| brakes |
|
64 | 22.1 | 0.6× |
| lighting and signalling |
|
57 | 19.7 | 0.5× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
53 | 18.3 | 1.2× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
28 | 9.7 | 0.6× |
| steering and suspension |
|
25 | 8.7 | 0.3× |
| drive system |
|
19 | 6.6 | 1.0× |
| reg plates and vin |
|
16 | 5.5 | 1.1× |
| structure and attachments |
|
12 | 4.2 | 0.8× |
| suspension |
|
8 | 2.8 | 0.5× |
| Identification of the vehicle |
|
7 | 2.4 | 1.3× |
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
On first-time pass rate the MONSTER S2R beats 2 of its 4 closest rivals (TRIUMPH STREET TRIPLE, APRILIA TUONO, HONDA CB600 HORNET).
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 MONSTER S2R.
Compare with any bike
More DUCATI models
Pass rate by registration year
Best year to buy used: 2007 (86.3% pass). Weakest: 2008 (75.9%).
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 MONSTER S2R FAQ
Is the DUCATI MONSTER S2R reliable?
The DUCATI MONSTER S2R is about average for its class: 85.4% of its 1,974 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2385 of 5428 models.
What does a MONSTER S2R fail its MOT on most?
brakes — 22% of all defects recorded against failed MONSTER S2R tests.
What is the best year of MONSTER S2R to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 2007-registered examples do best (86.3%) and 2008 worst (75.9%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a MONSTER S2R last?
The median MONSTER S2R shows 9,604 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 85.5% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.
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