BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
Head-to-head · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

Ducati 1199 S Panigale Abs vs Honda CBR900RR

The Ducati 1199 S Panigale Abs passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda CBR900RR: 89.2% vs 83.2%, a 6.0-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
Metric Ducati 1199 S Panigale Abs Honda CBR900RR
First-time pass rate 89.2% 83.2%
Outright fail rate 4.2% 9.8%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) +1.1 pts +0.1 pts
Engine size 1,198cc 918cc
Rank among all models #1212 of 5428 #2911 of 5428
Median miles at test 6,406 22,163
MOT tests analysed 1,559 165,881
Most common failure lamps and reflectors lighting and signalling

First-time outcomes on normal tests, 2005–2025. "Most common failure" is the component group with the most recorded defects on failed tests. Read pass rates against test counts: a smaller sample is noisier. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results.

"Vs comparable bikes" is the first-time pass rate minus the rate expected for each bike's own mix of age, mileage and test class, in percentage points: positive means better than comparable bikes. How this works.

What fails, side by side

share of each bike's MOT tests that failed on the component · lower is better
Component Ducati 1199 S Panigale Abs Honda CBR900RR
Lights & signalling 1.7% 3.9%
Steering & suspension 1.3% 3.6%
Brakes 0.3% 2.9%
Tyres & wheels 0.8% 2.3%
Structure & body 0.3% 0.7%
Fuel & exhaust 0.1% 0.6%
Drive system 0% 0.5%

A test that fails on two components counts once in each. Component links go to the bikes most likely to fail on it.

Pass rate by test year

first-time MOT pass rate in each calendar year both bikes were tested
Test year Ducati 1199 S Panigale Abs Honda CBR900RR
2018 91.5% 84.7%
2019 85.2% 84.8%
2020 91.0% 85.5%
2021 91.3% 86.2%
2022 89.9% 86.6%
2023 93.2% 87.7%
2024 95.2% 87.0%
2025 94.3% 88.8%

Each year mixes bikes of different ages, so a fleet that is getting older tends to slip.

Pass rate by mileage

first-time MOT pass rate by miles on the clock at test
Mileage Ducati 1199 S Panigale Abs Honda CBR900RR
0k-10k miles 88.7% 88.6%
10k-20k miles 91.6% 85.5%
20k-30k miles 87.5% 81.9%

Bands with fewer than 30 tests for either bike are left out.

Ducati 1199 S Panigale Abs vs Honda CBR900RR FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Ducati 1199 S Panigale Abs or the Honda CBR900RR?

The Ducati 1199 S Panigale Abs passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda CBR900RR: 89.2% vs 83.2%, a 6.0-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Ducati 1199 S Panigale Abs still comes out ahead: +1.1 points vs comparable bikes for the Ducati 1199 S Panigale Abs, +0.1 for the Honda CBR900RR. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Ducati 1199 S Panigale Abs fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 1.7% of Ducati 1199 S Panigale Abs MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (1.3%).

What does the Honda CBR900RR fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 3.9% of Honda CBR900RR MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (3.6%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Ducati 1199 S Panigale Abs or the Honda CBR900RR?

At 20k-30k miles the Ducati 1199 S Panigale Abs passes first time more often: 87.5% for the Ducati 1199 S Panigale Abs vs 81.9% for the Honda CBR900RR.

See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.