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

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

Ducati Hypermotard vs BMW R1150

The BMW R1150 passes its MOT first time more often than the Ducati Hypermotard: 88.5% vs 85.8%, a 2.7-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
Metric Ducati Hypermotard BMW R1150
First-time pass rate 85.8% 88.5%
Outright fail rate 7.3% 6.8%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) -2.3 pts +6.7 pts
Engine size 937cc 1,130cc
Rank among all models #2266 of 5428 #1449 of 5428
Median miles at test 6,866 33,151
MOT tests analysed 3,683 170,963
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 Hypermotard BMW R1150
Lights & signalling 4.5% 2.4%
Brakes 1.6% 2.9%
Tyres & wheels 1.4% 1.7%
Steering & suspension 0.8% 1.4%
Structure & body 0.9% 0.2%
Fuel & exhaust 0.1% 0.1%
Drive system 0.1% 0.0%

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 Hypermotard BMW R1150
2018 85.6% 88.1%
2019 80.6% 88.3%
2020 87.4% 88.0%
2021 84.8% 87.9%
2022 83.4% 88.6%
2023 84.8% 89.1%
2024 88.1% 88.1%
2025 87.9% 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 Hypermotard BMW R1150
0k-10k miles 86.1% 92.9%
10k-20k miles 84.8% 92.1%
20k-30k miles 83.6% 90.1%
30k-40k miles 90.2% 88.6%

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

Ducati Hypermotard vs BMW R1150 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

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

The BMW R1150 passes its MOT first time more often than the Ducati Hypermotard: 88.5% vs 85.8%, a 2.7-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the BMW R1150 still comes out ahead: -2.3 points vs comparable bikes for the Ducati Hypermotard, +6.7 for the BMW R1150. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Ducati Hypermotard fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 4.5% of Ducati Hypermotard MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (1.6%).

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 Hypermotard or the BMW R1150?

At 30k-40k miles the Ducati Hypermotard passes first time more often: 90.2% for the Ducati Hypermotard vs 88.6% for the BMW R1150.

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