Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled vs Triumph Adventurer

The Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled passes its MOT first time more often than the Triumph Adventurer: 88.5% vs 85.1%, a 3.4-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled	Triumph Adventurer
First-time pass rate	88.5%	85.1%
Outright fail rate	5.7%	7.8%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-1.2 pts	+0.1 pts
Engine size	803cc	885cc
Rank among all models	#1449 of 5428	#2469 of 5428
Median miles at test	4,210	13,476
MOT tests analysed	2,364	6,067
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 Scrambler Desert Sled	Triumph Adventurer
Lights & signalling	3.8%	3.1%
Brakes	1.2%	2.4%
Steering & suspension	0.8%	2.0%
Tyres & wheels	0.3%	1.8%
Structure & body	0.7%	0.4%
Fuel & exhaust	0%	0.5%
Drive system	0%	0.4%

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 Scrambler Desert Sled	Triumph Adventurer
2020	90.8%	88.1%
2021	88.3%	84.1%
2022	89.2%	86.7%
2023	87.5%	87.3%
2024	87.5%	85.4%
2025	88.6%	88.2%

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 Scrambler Desert Sled	Triumph Adventurer
0k-10k miles	88.6%	88.4%
10k-20k miles	84.5%	83.6%

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

Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled vs Triumph Adventurer FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled or the Triumph Adventurer?

The Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled passes its MOT first time more often than the Triumph Adventurer: 88.5% vs 85.1%, a 3.4-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Triumph Adventurer still comes out ahead: -1.2 points vs comparable bikes for the Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled, +0.1 for the Triumph Adventurer. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 3.8% of Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (1.2%).

What does the Triumph Adventurer fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 3.1% of Triumph Adventurer MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (2.4%).

DUCATI SCRAMBLER DESERT SLED 88.5% pass · 2,364 tests TRIUMPH ADVENTURER 85.1% pass · 6,067 tests

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