BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
Head-to-head · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

Yamaha XT 1200 Z Super Tenere vs Ducati Multistrada

The Yamaha XT 1200 Z Super Tenere passes its MOT first time more often than the Ducati Multistrada: 93.9% vs 89.9%, a 4.0-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
Metric Yamaha XT 1200 Z Super Tenere Ducati Multistrada
First-time pass rate 93.9% 89.9%
Outright fail rate 2.7% 5.5%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) +9.4 pts +3.8 pts
Engine size 1,199cc 1,198cc
Rank among all models #183 of 5428 #988 of 5428
Median miles at test 19,312 13,468
MOT tests analysed 3,684 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 Yamaha XT 1200 Z Super Tenere Ducati Multistrada
Lights & signalling 0.7% 2.2%
Brakes 0.9% 1.9%
Tyres & wheels 1.0% 1.1%
Steering & suspension 0.5% 1.1%
Structure & body 0.1% 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 Yamaha XT 1200 Z Super Tenere Ducati Multistrada
2018 94.0% 89.3%
2019 93.7% 89.8%
2020 98.0% 91.8%
2021 90.6% 91.2%
2022 93.6% 91.3%
2023 94.4% 91.8%
2024 93.5% 90.9%
2025 94.8% 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 Yamaha XT 1200 Z Super Tenere Ducati Multistrada
0k-10k miles 95.8% 91.7%
10k-20k miles 94.0% 89.6%
20k-30k miles 95.2% 88.0%
30k-40k miles 91.3% 87.0%
40k-50k miles 93.4% 84.9%
50k-60k miles 89.2% 86.0%

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

Yamaha XT 1200 Z Super Tenere vs Ducati Multistrada FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Yamaha XT 1200 Z Super Tenere or the Ducati Multistrada?

The Yamaha XT 1200 Z Super Tenere passes its MOT first time more often than the Ducati Multistrada: 93.9% vs 89.9%, a 4.0-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Yamaha XT 1200 Z Super Tenere still comes out ahead: +9.4 points vs comparable bikes for the Yamaha XT 1200 Z Super Tenere, +3.8 for the Ducati Multistrada. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Yamaha XT 1200 Z Super Tenere fail its MOT on most?

Tyres & wheels: 1.0% of Yamaha XT 1200 Z Super Tenere MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (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 Yamaha XT 1200 Z Super Tenere or the Ducati Multistrada?

At 50k-60k miles the Yamaha XT 1200 Z Super Tenere passes first time more often: 89.2% for the Yamaha XT 1200 Z Super Tenere vs 86.0% for the Ducati Multistrada.

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