BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ Ducati Multistrada 1260 S/vs Triumph Tiger 1050
Head-to-head · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

Ducati Multistrada 1260 S vs Triumph Tiger 1050

The Ducati Multistrada 1260 S passes its MOT first time more often than the Triumph Tiger 1050: 94.2% vs 87.3%, a 6.9-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
Metric Ducati Multistrada 1260 S Triumph Tiger 1050
First-time pass rate 94.2% 87.3%
Outright fail rate 3.1% 7.1%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) +7.0 pts +2.9 pts
Engine size 1,262cc 1,050cc
Rank among all models #143 of 5428 #1818 of 5428
Median miles at test 10,552 18,584
MOT tests analysed 2,442 13,990
Most common failure tyres 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 Multistrada 1260 S Triumph Tiger 1050
Brakes 1.0% 2.9%
Lights & signalling 0.4% 2.5%
Tyres & wheels 1.1% 1.4%
Steering & suspension 0.1% 1.7%
Structure & body 0.5% 0.4%
Drive system 0% 0.3%
Fuel & exhaust 0% 0.2%

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 Multistrada 1260 S Triumph Tiger 1050
2021 95.4% 86.5%
2022 91.2% 88.1%
2023 96.5% 86.9%
2024 93.4% 88.3%
2025 94.7% 86.2%

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 Multistrada 1260 S Triumph Tiger 1050
0k-10k miles 95.2% 90.9%
10k-20k miles 93.0% 88.8%
20k-30k miles 94.4% 86.5%
30k-40k miles 98.1% 84.7%

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

Ducati Multistrada 1260 S vs Triumph Tiger 1050 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Ducati Multistrada 1260 S or the Triumph Tiger 1050?

The Ducati Multistrada 1260 S passes its MOT first time more often than the Triumph Tiger 1050: 94.2% vs 87.3%, a 6.9-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Ducati Multistrada 1260 S still comes out ahead: +7.0 points vs comparable bikes for the Ducati Multistrada 1260 S, +2.9 for the Triumph Tiger 1050. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Ducati Multistrada 1260 S fail its MOT on most?

Tyres & wheels: 1.1% of Ducati Multistrada 1260 S MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (1.0%).

What does the Triumph Tiger 1050 fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 2.9% of Triumph Tiger 1050 MOT tests failed on it, then lights & signalling (2.5%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Ducati Multistrada 1260 S or the Triumph Tiger 1050?

At 30k-40k miles the Ducati Multistrada 1260 S passes first time more often: 98.1% for the Ducati Multistrada 1260 S vs 84.7% for the Triumph Tiger 1050.

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