KTM 1290 Super Adventure S 18 vs Ducati Multistrada

The KTM 1290 Super Adventure S 18 passes its MOT first time more often than the Ducati Multistrada: 92.9% vs 89.9%, a 3.0-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	KTM 1290 Super Adventure S 18	Ducati Multistrada
First-time pass rate	92.9%	89.9%
Outright fail rate	3.0%	5.5%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+6.0 pts	+3.8 pts
Engine size	1,301cc	1,198cc
Rank among all models	#315 of 5428	#988 of 5428
Median miles at test	12,084	13,468
MOT tests analysed	1,527	24,822
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	KTM 1290 Super Adventure S 18	Ducati Multistrada
Lights & signalling	0.9%	2.2%
Brakes	1.0%	1.9%
Steering & suspension	0.8%	1.1%
Tyres & wheels	0.7%	1.1%
Structure & body	0.3%	0.6%
Drive system	0%	0.1%
Fuel & exhaust	0%	0.1%

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	KTM 1290 Super Adventure S 18	Ducati Multistrada
2021	93.1%	91.2%
2022	91.3%	91.3%
2023	94.4%	91.8%
2024	92.3%	90.9%
2025	93.2%	91.0%

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	KTM 1290 Super Adventure S 18	Ducati Multistrada
0k-10k miles	93.0%	91.7%
10k-20k miles	93.2%	89.6%
20k-30k miles	92.2%	88.0%
30k-40k miles	88.5%	87.0%

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

KTM 1290 Super Adventure S 18 vs Ducati Multistrada FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S 18 or the Ducati Multistrada?

The KTM 1290 Super Adventure S 18 passes its MOT first time more often than the Ducati Multistrada: 92.9% vs 89.9%, a 3.0-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S 18 still comes out ahead: +6.0 points vs comparable bikes for the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S 18, +3.8 for the Ducati Multistrada. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S 18 fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 1.0% of KTM 1290 Super Adventure S 18 MOT tests failed on it, then lights & signalling (0.9%).

What does the Ducati Multistrada fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 2.2% of Ducati Multistrada MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (1.9%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S 18 or the Ducati Multistrada?

At 30k-40k miles the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S 18 passes first time more often: 88.5% for the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S 18 vs 87.0% for the Ducati Multistrada.

KTM 1290 SUPER ADVENTURE S 18 92.9% pass · 1,527 tests DUCATI MULTISTRADA 89.9% pass · 24.8k tests

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