Triumph Tiger Explorer 1215 vs Ducati Multistrada

The Triumph Tiger Explorer 1215 passes its MOT first time more often than the Ducati Multistrada: 90.4% vs 89.9%, a 0.5-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Triumph Tiger Explorer 1215	Ducati Multistrada
First-time pass rate	90.4%	89.9%
Outright fail rate	6.5%	5.5%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+6.2 pts	+3.8 pts
Engine size	1,215cc	1,198cc
Rank among all models	#825 of 5428	#988 of 5428
Median miles at test	21,482	13,468
MOT tests analysed	4,677	24,822
Most common failure	brakes	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	Triumph Tiger Explorer 1215	Ducati Multistrada
Brakes	3.0%	1.9%
Steering & suspension	2.7%	1.1%
Lights & signalling	1.1%	2.2%
Tyres & wheels	1.3%	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	Triumph Tiger Explorer 1215	Ducati Multistrada
2018	91.0%	89.3%
2019	89.5%	89.8%
2020	92.3%	91.8%
2021	91.3%	91.2%
2022	89.4%	91.3%
2023	89.8%	91.8%
2024	90.2%	90.9%
2025	87.7%	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	Triumph Tiger Explorer 1215	Ducati Multistrada
0k-10k miles	93.9%	91.7%
10k-20k miles	92.2%	89.6%
20k-30k miles	90.5%	88.0%
30k-40k miles	88.4%	87.0%
40k-50k miles	83.6%	84.9%
50k-60k miles	82.3%	86.0%

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

Triumph Tiger Explorer 1215 vs Ducati Multistrada FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Triumph Tiger Explorer 1215 or the Ducati Multistrada?

The Triumph Tiger Explorer 1215 passes its MOT first time more often than the Ducati Multistrada: 90.4% vs 89.9%, a 0.5-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Triumph Tiger Explorer 1215 still comes out ahead: +6.2 points vs comparable bikes for the Triumph Tiger Explorer 1215, +3.8 for the Ducati Multistrada. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Triumph Tiger Explorer 1215 fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 3.0% of Triumph Tiger Explorer 1215 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (2.7%).

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 Triumph Tiger Explorer 1215 or the Ducati Multistrada?

At 50k-60k miles the Ducati Multistrada passes first time more often: 82.3% for the Triumph Tiger Explorer 1215 vs 86.0% for the Ducati Multistrada.

TRIUMPH TIGER EXPLORER 1215 90.4% pass · 4,677 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.