Ducati 899 vs BMW R1150

The Ducati 899 passes its MOT first time more often than the BMW R1150: 88.9% vs 88.5%, a 0.4-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Ducati 899	BMW R1150
First-time pass rate	88.9%	88.5%
Outright fail rate	5.1%	6.8%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+1.3 pts	+6.7 pts
Engine size	898cc	1,130cc
Rank among all models	#1305 of 5428	#1449 of 5428
Median miles at test	7,946	33,151
MOT tests analysed	5,141	170,963
Most common failure	lamps and reflectors	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 899	BMW R1150
Lights & signalling	2.5%	2.4%
Brakes	0.7%	2.9%
Tyres & wheels	0.9%	1.7%
Steering & suspension	1.0%	1.4%
Structure & body	0.5%	0.2%
Fuel & exhaust	0%	0.1%

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 899	BMW R1150
2018	88.5%	88.1%
2019	89.4%	88.3%
2020	90.1%	88.0%
2021	88.8%	87.9%
2022	87.1%	88.6%
2023	90.8%	89.1%
2024	88.2%	88.1%
2025	89.0%	89.1%

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 899	BMW R1150
0k-10k miles	90.3%	92.9%
10k-20k miles	87.1%	92.1%
20k-30k miles	84.2%	90.1%
30k-40k miles	88.5%	88.6%

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

Ducati 899 vs BMW R1150 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Ducati 899 or the BMW R1150?

The Ducati 899 passes its MOT first time more often than the BMW R1150: 88.9% vs 88.5%, a 0.4-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the BMW R1150 still comes out ahead: +1.3 points vs comparable bikes for the Ducati 899, +6.7 for the BMW R1150. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Ducati 899 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 2.5% of Ducati 899 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (1.0%).

What does the BMW R1150 fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 2.9% of BMW R1150 MOT tests failed on it, then lights & signalling (2.4%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Ducati 899 or the BMW R1150?

They are level: at 30k-40k miles the Ducati 899 passes 88.5% first time and the BMW R1150 88.6%.

DUCATI 899 88.9% pass · 5,141 tests BMW R1150 88.5% pass · 171k tests

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