Ducati Panigale vs Honda CBR900RR

The Ducati Panigale passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda CBR900RR: 91.7% vs 83.2%, a 8.5-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Ducati Panigale	Honda CBR900RR
First-time pass rate	91.7%	83.2%
Outright fail rate	3.3%	9.8%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+2.7 pts	+0.1 pts
Engine size	1,198cc	918cc
Rank among all models	#524 of 5428	#2911 of 5428
Median miles at test	4,995	22,163
MOT tests analysed	659	165,881
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 Panigale	Honda CBR900RR
Lights & signalling	0.9%	3.9%
Steering & suspension	0.9%	3.6%
Brakes	0.6%	2.9%
Tyres & wheels	0.8%	2.3%
Structure & body	0.2%	0.7%
Fuel & exhaust	0%	0.6%
Drive system	0%	0.5%

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 Panigale	Honda CBR900RR
2018	93.0%	84.7%
2019	93.8%	84.8%
2020	89.7%	85.5%
2021	92.9%	86.2%
2022	95.3%	86.6%
2023	88.4%	87.7%
2024	93.4%	87.0%
2025	93.2%	88.8%

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 Panigale	Honda CBR900RR
0k-10k miles	92.0%	88.6%
10k-20k miles	90.3%	85.5%

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

Ducati Panigale vs Honda CBR900RR FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Ducati Panigale or the Honda CBR900RR?

The Ducati Panigale passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda CBR900RR: 91.7% vs 83.2%, a 8.5-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Ducati Panigale still comes out ahead: +2.7 points vs comparable bikes for the Ducati Panigale, +0.1 for the Honda CBR900RR. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Ducati Panigale fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 0.9% of Ducati Panigale MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (0.9%).

What does the Honda CBR900RR fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 3.9% of Honda CBR900RR MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (3.6%).

DUCATI PANIGALE 91.7% pass · 659 tests HONDA CBR900RR 83.2% pass · 166k tests

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