DUCATI S4R

996cc Petrol Class 2

#1962 of 5426 overall #112 of 173 DUCATIs #1190 of 2787 other bikes

86.8%

first-time pass rate

5.8%

failed outright

8,860

median miles at test

3,112

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2025

The S4R's first-time pass rate has fallen 2.3 points since 2006, 95.1% to 92.8%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the S4R's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage S4R passes first time 87.5% of the time; by 30k that's 82.2%.

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 S4R

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	98	29.7	0.5×
brakes	56	17	0.3×
lamps and reflectors	37	11.2	0.6×
reg plates and vin	34	10.3	1.1×
tyres and wheels	32	9.7	0.4×
steering and suspension	24	7.3	0.2×
fuel and exhaust	15	4.5	0.6×
drive system	15	4.5	0.4×
Identification of the vehicle	10	3	1.4×
tyres	9	2.7	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 S4R beats 2 of its 4 closest rivals (BMW R1200, BMW R1150, TRIUMPH SPRINT).

BMW R1200 92.9% pass · 299k tests BMW R1150 88.5% pass · 171k tests TRIUMPH SPRINT 85.6% pass · 133k tests SUZUKI GSF1200 82.4% pass · 97.6k 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 S4R.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2008 (89.0% pass). Weakest: 2004 (85.6%).

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 S4R FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the DUCATI S4R reliable?

The DUCATI S4R is about average for its class: 86.8% of its 3,112 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1962 of 5426 models.

What does a S4R fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 30% of all defects recorded against failed S4R tests.

What is the best year of S4R to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2008-registered examples do best (89.0%) and 2004 worst (85.6%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a S4R last?

The median S4R shows 8,860 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 82.2% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.