Ducati common problems and MOT failures
From 41,548 MOT tests in 2024, 4.6% of Ducati vehicles failed. Below are the most common reasons, ranked by how often they occur.
Top Ducati MOT failure reasons
| # | Problem | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | tyre tread depth outside legal limits | 191 |
| 2 | reflector missing or reflecting white to the rear | 180 |
| 3 | shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely | 159 |
| 4 | brake efficiency below minimum requirement | 152 |
| 5 | number plate does not conform to the specified requirements | 147 |
| 6 | direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 130 |
| 7 | excessive fluctuation in brake effort through each wheel revolution | 127 |
| 8 | stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 107 |
| 9 | brake control has insufficient reserve travel | 99 |
| 10 | headlamp missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led | 96 |
What this means if you're buying a Ducati
The single most common MOT failure for Ducati is tyre tread depth outside legal limits, accounting for 14% of all failure items. A set of new tyres typically costs £200–£500 depending on size.
These figures are from real MOT inspections — they show what testers actually find wrong with Ducati vehicles. If you're viewing a used Ducati, it's worth checking these areas specifically.
Buying a specific Ducati? Check the individual vehicle's MOT history for free on GOV.UK to see its actual test results, advisories, and mileage readings.
Check MOT history on GOV.UK