Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
DUCATI SPORT CLASSIC
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 SPORT CLASSIC's first-time pass rate has fallen 7.9 points since 2010, 95.8% to 87.9%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage SPORT CLASSIC passes first time 91.3% of the time; by 20k that's 87.5%.
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 SPORT CLASSIC
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lighting and signalling |
|
28 | 28 | 0.4× |
| brakes |
|
19 | 19 | 0.3× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
15 | 15 | 0.7× |
| steering and suspension |
|
9 | 9 | 0.3× |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
8 | 8 | 1.1× |
| reg plates and vin |
|
7 | 7 | 1.0× |
| drive system |
|
5 | 5 | 0.3× |
| tyres |
|
4 | 4 | 0.7× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
3 | 3 | 0.2× |
| structure and attachments |
|
2 | 2 | 0.3× |
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 SPORT CLASSIC beats 3 of its 4 closest rivals (BMW R1200, BMW R1150, TRIUMPH SPRINT).
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 SPORT CLASSIC.
Compare with any bike
More DUCATI models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 2009 (95.3%). Lowest: 2007 (86.5%). Every Sport Classic year compared →
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 SPORT CLASSIC FAQ
Is the DUCATI SPORT CLASSIC reliable?
The DUCATI SPORT CLASSIC is more reliable than average for its class: 90.5% of its 851 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #800 of 5428 models.
What does a SPORT CLASSIC fail its MOT on most?
lighting and signalling: 28% of all defects recorded against failed SPORT CLASSIC tests.
What is the best year of SPORT CLASSIC to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 2009-registered examples do best (95.3%) and 2007 worst (86.5%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a SPORT CLASSIC last?
The median SPORT CLASSIC shows 7,199 miles at test, and examples around 20k miles still pass 87.5% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
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