KTM 990 Adventure 12 vs Ducati Multistrada

The Ducati Multistrada passes its MOT first time more often than the KTM 990 Adventure 12: 89.9% vs 86.7%, a 3.2-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	KTM 990 Adventure 12	Ducati Multistrada
First-time pass rate	86.7%	89.9%
Outright fail rate	6.0%	5.5%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+1.1 pts	+3.8 pts
Engine size	1,000cc	1,198cc
Rank among all models	#1985 of 5428	#988 of 5428
Median miles at test	14,345	13,468
MOT tests analysed	1,056	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 990 Adventure 12	Ducati Multistrada
Lights & signalling	2.6%	2.2%
Brakes	2.0%	1.9%
Steering & suspension	1.0%	1.1%
Tyres & wheels	0.8%	1.1%
Structure & body	0.7%	0.6%
Drive system	0.1%	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 990 Adventure 12	Ducati Multistrada
2018	84.1%	89.3%
2019	83.8%	89.8%
2020	89.7%	91.8%
2021	86.5%	91.2%
2022	88.5%	91.3%
2023	88.2%	91.8%
2024	77.9%	90.9%
2025	89.1%	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 990 Adventure 12	Ducati Multistrada
0k-10k miles	88.8%	91.7%
10k-20k miles	86.7%	89.6%
20k-30k miles	84.8%	88.0%
30k-40k miles	82.5%	87.0%

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

KTM 990 Adventure 12 vs Ducati Multistrada FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the KTM 990 Adventure 12 or the Ducati Multistrada?

The Ducati Multistrada passes its MOT first time more often than the KTM 990 Adventure 12: 89.9% vs 86.7%, a 3.2-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Ducati Multistrada still comes out ahead: +1.1 points vs comparable bikes for the KTM 990 Adventure 12, +3.8 for the Ducati Multistrada. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the KTM 990 Adventure 12 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 2.6% of KTM 990 Adventure 12 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (2.0%).

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 990 Adventure 12 or the Ducati Multistrada?

At 30k-40k miles the Ducati Multistrada passes first time more often: 82.5% for the KTM 990 Adventure 12 vs 87.0% for the Ducati Multistrada.

KTM 990 ADVENTURE 12 86.7% pass · 1,056 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.