Ducati 749 S vs Yamaha FZS600

The Ducati 749 S passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha FZS600: 82.8% vs 82.6%, a 0.2-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Ducati 749 S	Yamaha FZS600
First-time pass rate	82.8%	82.6%
Outright fail rate	9.1%	10.6%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-4.5 pts	-0.8 pts
Engine size	748cc	599cc
Rank among all models	#3007 of 5428	#3052 of 5428
Median miles at test	8,672	21,612
MOT tests analysed	2,696	136,558
Most common failure	lighting and signalling	brakes

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	Yamaha FZS600
Lights & signalling	6.4%	3.4%
Brakes	1.6%	4.5%
Tyres & wheels	1.4%	2.9%
Steering & suspension	0.9%	2.7%
Fuel & exhaust	0.6%	1.1%
Structure & body	0.5%	1.1%
Drive system	0.3%	0.9%

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	Yamaha FZS600
2018	80.9%	81.3%
2019	83.1%	83.0%
2020	87.1%	83.6%
2021	83.2%	82.8%
2022	89.6%	83.6%
2023	86.9%	84.2%
2024	86.4%	83.3%
2025	85.9%	84.0%

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	Yamaha FZS600
0k-10k miles	84.8%	89.6%
10k-20k miles	80.1%	85.5%
20k-30k miles	79.0%	81.4%

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

Ducati 749 S vs Yamaha FZS600 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Ducati 749 S or the Yamaha FZS600?

The Ducati 749 S passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha FZS600: 82.8% vs 82.6%, a 0.2-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Yamaha FZS600 still comes out ahead: -4.5 points vs comparable bikes for the Ducati 749 S, -0.8 for the Yamaha FZS600. 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 Yamaha FZS600 fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 4.5% of Yamaha FZS600 MOT tests failed on it, then lights & signalling (3.4%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Ducati 749 S or the Yamaha FZS600?

At 20k-30k miles the Yamaha FZS600 passes first time more often: 79.0% for the Ducati 749 S vs 81.4% for the Yamaha FZS600.

DUCATI 749 S 82.8% pass · 2,696 tests YAMAHA FZS600 82.6% pass · 137k tests

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