Ducati 749S Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Ducati 749S car check
Is the Ducati 749S reliable? We analysed 1,582 real MOT tests across 227 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Ducati 749S? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Ducati 749S is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include reflector on motorcycle missing, stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies and tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Ducati 749S.
Ducati 749S Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Ducati 749S. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Ducati 749S MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Ducati 749S to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Ducati 749S Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Ducati 749S fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Ducati 749S Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Ducati 749S owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Ducati 749S MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Ducati 749S year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 61 | 86.9% | 3,340 | 4,733 | 7,101 |
| 2006 | 210 | 86.7% | 4,895 | 8,426 | 10,952 |
| 2005 | 278 | 88.5% | 5,541 | 9,359 | 13,611 |
| 2004 | 457 | 86.4% | 5,058 | 7,878 | 11,140 |
| 2003 | 496 | 85.1% | 4,958 | 8,649 | 12,964 |
| 2002 | 61 | 80.3% | 4,066 | 6,218 | 9,865 |
How Long Does a Ducati 749S Last?
Based on 227 Ducati 749S vehicles on UK roads.
Ducati 749S Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Ducati 749S MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Ducati 749S
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
88.5% MOT pass rate from 278 tests
80.3% MOT pass rate from 61 tests
The best year to buy a used Ducati 749S is 2005, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 88.5% across 278 tests. The 2002 model year has the lowest pass rate at 80.3% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Ducati 749S Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ducati 749S THIS CAR | 86.2% | 1,582 | 8,234 mi | 24 yrs |
| Ducati Multistrada | 90.7% | 30,770 | 13,843 mi | 23 yrs |
| Ducati 748 | 86.8% | 29,046 | 14,130 mi | 31 yrs |
| Ducati 996 | 89% | 17,371 | 12,635 mi | 29 yrs |
| Ford Kuga St-line ED Eblue MHEV | 88.5% | 3,012 | 32,217 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Ducati Multistrada (90.7% pass rate) and the Ducati 748 (86.8% pass rate), the Ducati 749S trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Ducati 749S you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Ducati 749SShould you buy a used Ducati 749S?
The Ducati 749S has an overall MOT pass rate of 86.2% across 1,582 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common problems on the Ducati 749S are reflector on motorcycle missing (27 recorded failures), stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (24), and tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (18). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Ducati 749S owner drives around 443 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Ducati 749S models stay on UK roads for around 24 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.