Ducati S4 vs Suzuki GSF1200

The Ducati S4 passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki GSF1200: 84.5% vs 82.4%, a 2.1-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Ducati S4	Suzuki GSF1200
First-time pass rate	84.5%	82.4%
Outright fail rate	7.6%	8.9%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-1.7 pts	-1.2 pts
Engine size	916cc	1,157cc
Rank among all models	#2613 of 5428	#3108 of 5428
Median miles at test	10,476	20,274
MOT tests analysed	4,277	97,637
Most common failure	lighting and signalling	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 S4	Suzuki GSF1200
Lights & signalling	4.4%	4.5%
Brakes	1.6%	2.8%
Steering & suspension	1.7%	2.2%
Tyres & wheels	1.6%	2.0%
Fuel & exhaust	0.8%	0.8%
Structure & body	0.4%	0.8%
Drive system	0.4%	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 S4	Suzuki GSF1200
2018	77.5%	83.2%
2019	88.0%	82.9%
2020	89.9%	83.4%
2021	89.0%	82.9%
2022	85.5%	83.6%
2023	86.0%	83.8%
2024	91.0%	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 S4	Suzuki GSF1200
0k-10k miles	87.5%	87.7%
10k-20k miles	82.1%	83.8%
20k-30k miles	81.9%	81.1%
30k-40k miles	78.3%	78.5%
40k-50k miles	82.2%	78.4%

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

Ducati S4 vs Suzuki GSF1200 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Ducati S4 or the Suzuki GSF1200?

The Ducati S4 passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki GSF1200: 84.5% vs 82.4%, a 2.1-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class the two are level (-1.7 vs -1.2 points against comparable bikes), so the raw gap is mostly down to how old and how used each fleet is. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Ducati S4 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 4.4% of Ducati S4 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (1.7%).

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 S4 or the Suzuki GSF1200?

At 40k-50k miles the Ducati S4 passes first time more often: 82.2% for the Ducati S4 vs 78.4% for the Suzuki GSF1200.

DUCATI S4 84.5% pass · 4,277 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.