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Ducati Monster Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

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Is the Ducati Monster reliable? We analysed 11,287 real MOT tests across 1,358 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 11,287 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
86.2%
Typical Mileage
11,222mi
Annual Mileage
492mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
33yrs

The Ducati Monster is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm and reflector on motorcycle missing. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Ducati Monster.

Ducati Monster Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Ducati Monster. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Ducati Monster MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Ducati Monster to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

89.5%
2022
90.8%
2021
83.1%
2017
89%
2016
83.1%
2015
86.1%
2014
86.7%
2012
90%
2011
88.3%
2010
90.2%
2009
89.3%
2008
89.5%
2007
87.9%
2006
88.4%
2005
87.8%
2004
85.4%
2003
82.9%
2002
85.3%
2001
80.7%
2000
85.8%
1999

Ducati Monster Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Ducati Monster fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 108
Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 82
reflector on motorcycle missing 82
shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 38
Drive chain excessively loose 38
position lamp does not illuminate immediately when it is switched on 36
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 31

Ducati Monster Common Faults & Problems

These are the most common serious faults found on Ducati Monster models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.

Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 33

Ducati Monster Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Ducati Monster owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
161 mi/yr
Typical
492 mi/yr
Average
959 mi/yr
Heavy usage
1,189 mi/yr

Ducati Monster MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Ducati Monster year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2022 57 89.5% 2,575 4,037 5,763
2021 98 90.8% 2,755 6,590 9,166
2017 89 83.1% 4,399 6,486 10,544
2016 272 89.0% 3,745 7,457 10,240
2015 338 83.1% 4,205 6,894 11,596
2014 418 86.1% 4,071 8,130 11,974
2012 339 86.7% 5,108 7,183 11,993
2011 528 90.0% 4,400 8,504 13,494
2010 599 88.3% 5,461 9,630 14,392
2009 736 90.2% 5,185 9,153 14,538
2008 1,030 89.3% 5,594 9,158 17,890
2007 526 89.5% 4,662 9,392 15,369
2006 807 87.9% 5,994 10,194 17,359
2005 404 88.4% 5,085 8,636 14,980
2004 376 87.8% 6,732 13,566 18,991
2003 192 85.4% 5,946 10,199 16,845
2002 170 82.9% 4,423 10,432 17,226
2001 197 85.3% 5,731 11,473 30,558
2000 244 80.7% 7,466 12,546 21,062
1999 471 85.8% 7,786 13,708 20,284

How Long Does a Ducati Monster Last?

Based on 1,358 Ducati Monster vehicles on UK roads.

Average
14.4 years
Median
14.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
33 years

Ducati Monster Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Ducati Monster MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
11,222 mi
75th Percentile
18,104 mi
95th Percentile
32,059 mi
Max Recorded
206,747 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Ducati Monster

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
2021

90.8% MOT pass rate from 98 tests

Year to avoid
1995

80.2% MOT pass rate from 631 tests

The best year to buy a used Ducati Monster is 2021, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 90.8% across 98 tests. The 1995 model year has the lowest pass rate at 80.2% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Ducati Monster Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Ducati Monster THIS CAR 86.2% 11,287 11,222 mi 33 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
Honda Cbr 125 R-c 77.4% 5,490 14,471 mi 14 yrs

Compared to the Ducati Multistrada (90.7% pass rate) and the Ducati 748 (86.8% pass rate), the Ducati Monster trails behind on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Ducati Monster?

The Ducati Monster has an overall MOT pass rate of 86.2% across 11,287 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 Monster are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (108 recorded failures), tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (82), and reflector on motorcycle missing (82). 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.

On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Ducati Monster with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.

A typical Ducati Monster owner drives around 492 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 Monster models stay on UK roads for around 33 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.

Ducati Monster — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Ducati Monster reliable?
Based on 11,287 MOT tests, the Ducati Monster has a 86.2% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Ducati Monster?
The most common MOT failures are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, and reflector on motorcycle missing. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Ducati Monster do per year?
The typical Ducati Monster does around 492 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Ducati Monster last?
Most Ducati Monster models stay on UK roads for around 33 years based on our analysis of 1,358 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Ducati Monster?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Ducati Monster?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Ducati Monster is 2021 with a 90.8% pass rate across 98 tests.