Ducati 749 S vs Kawasaki ZX-6R

The Ducati 749 S passes its MOT first time more often than the Kawasaki ZX-6R: 82.8% vs 78.1%, a 4.7-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025

Metric	Ducati 749 S	Kawasaki ZX-6R
First-time pass rate	82.8%	78.1%
Outright fail rate	9.1%	14.0%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-4.5 pts	-5.8 pts
Engine size	748cc	599cc
Rank among all models	#3007 of 5428	#3895 of 5428
Median miles at test	8,672	19,446
MOT tests analysed	2,696	173,956
Most common failure	lighting and signalling	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 749 S	Kawasaki ZX-6R
Lights & signalling	6.4%	6.1%
Brakes	1.6%	5.2%
Steering & suspension	0.9%	4.6%
Tyres & wheels	1.4%	3.6%
Structure & body	0.5%	1.2%
Fuel & exhaust	0.6%	0.8%
Drive system	0.3%	1.0%

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 749 S	Kawasaki ZX-6R
2018	80.9%	78.5%
2019	83.1%	78.5%
2020	87.1%	78.1%
2021	83.2%	78.6%
2022	89.6%	79.4%
2023	86.9%	79.8%
2024	86.4%	80.3%
2025	85.9%	81.1%

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 749 S	Kawasaki ZX-6R
0k-10k miles	84.8%	86.1%
10k-20k miles	80.1%	80.6%
20k-30k miles	79.0%	75.4%

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

Ducati 749 S vs Kawasaki ZX-6R FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Ducati 749 S or the Kawasaki ZX-6R?

The Ducati 749 S passes its MOT first time more often than the Kawasaki ZX-6R: 82.8% vs 78.1%, a 4.7-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Ducati 749 S still comes out ahead: -4.5 points vs comparable bikes for the Ducati 749 S, -5.8 for the Kawasaki ZX-6R. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Ducati 749 S fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 6.4% of Ducati 749 S MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (1.6%).

What does the Kawasaki ZX-6R fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 6.1% of Kawasaki ZX-6R MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (5.2%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Ducati 749 S or the Kawasaki ZX-6R?

At 20k-30k miles the Ducati 749 S passes first time more often: 79.0% for the Ducati 749 S vs 75.4% for the Kawasaki ZX-6R.

DUCATI 749 S 82.8% pass · 2,696 tests KAWASAKI ZX-6R 78.1% pass · 174k tests

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