Ducati 959 vs Suzuki GSF1200

The Ducati 959 passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki GSF1200: 91.5% vs 82.4%, a 9.1-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Ducati 959	Suzuki GSF1200
First-time pass rate	91.5%	82.4%
Outright fail rate	3.6%	8.9%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+2.7 pts	-1.2 pts
Engine size	955cc	1,157cc
Rank among all models	#567 of 5428	#3108 of 5428
Median miles at test	5,917	20,274
MOT tests analysed	2,726	97,637
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 959	Suzuki GSF1200
Lights & signalling	1.9%	4.5%
Brakes	0.6%	2.8%
Steering & suspension	0.4%	2.2%
Tyres & wheels	0.6%	2.0%
Structure & body	0.7%	0.8%
Fuel & exhaust	0%	0.8%
Drive system	0%	0.6%

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 959	Suzuki GSF1200
2019	91.7%	82.9%
2020	93.4%	83.4%
2021	90.9%	82.9%
2022	91.3%	83.6%
2023	91.8%	83.8%
2024	91.1%	83.4%
2025	90.9%	84.1%

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 959	Suzuki GSF1200
0k-10k miles	91.4%	87.7%
10k-20k miles	91.6%	83.8%
20k-30k miles	86.1%	81.1%

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

Ducati 959 vs Suzuki GSF1200 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Ducati 959 or the Suzuki GSF1200?

The Ducati 959 passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki GSF1200: 91.5% vs 82.4%, a 9.1-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Ducati 959 still comes out ahead: +2.7 points vs comparable bikes for the Ducati 959, -1.2 for the Suzuki GSF1200. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Ducati 959 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 1.9% of Ducati 959 MOT tests failed on it, then structure & body (0.7%).

What does the Suzuki GSF1200 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 4.5% of Suzuki GSF1200 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (2.8%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Ducati 959 or the Suzuki GSF1200?

At 20k-30k miles the Ducati 959 passes first time more often: 86.1% for the Ducati 959 vs 81.1% for the Suzuki GSF1200.

DUCATI 959 91.5% pass · 2,726 tests SUZUKI GSF1200 82.4% pass · 97.6k tests

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