Ducati S4 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Ducati S4 car check
Is the Ducati S4 reliable? We analysed 5,087 real MOT tests across 527 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Ducati S4? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Ducati S4 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, reflector on motorcycle missing and stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Ducati S4.
Ducati S4 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Ducati S4. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Ducati S4 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Ducati S4 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Ducati S4 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Ducati S4 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Ducati S4 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Ducati S4 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Ducati S4 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Ducati S4 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 58 | 93.1% | 3,581 | 6,555 | 11,135 |
| 2005 | 54 | 92.6% | 2,203 | 3,379 | 8,041 |
| 2004 | 147 | 78.2% | 4,280 | 7,174 | 15,234 |
| 2003 | 427 | 87.6% | 5,598 | 9,163 | 16,809 |
| 2002 | 1,962 | 87.5% | 5,894 | 10,324 | 16,117 |
| 2001 | 2,347 | 85.2% | 6,945 | 11,849 | 18,125 |
How Long Does a Ducati S4 Last?
Based on 527 Ducati S4 vehicles on UK roads.
Ducati S4 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Ducati S4 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 S4
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
93.1% MOT pass rate from 58 tests
78.2% MOT pass rate from 147 tests
The best year to buy a used Ducati S4 is 2006, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 93.1% across 58 tests. The 2004 model year has the lowest pass rate at 78.2% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Ducati S4 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ducati S4 THIS CAR | 86.3% | 5,087 | 10,785 mi | 25 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 |
| Land Rover R Rover Sport A-bio Dyn PHEV A | 90.6% | 1,725 | 32,384 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Ducati Multistrada (90.7% pass rate) and the Ducati 748 (86.8% pass rate), the Ducati S4 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Ducati S4 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 S4Should you buy a used Ducati S4?
The Ducati S4 has an overall MOT pass rate of 86.3% across 5,087 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 S4 are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (68 recorded failures), reflector on motorcycle missing (53), and stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (52). 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 S4 owner drives around 467 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 S4 models stay on UK roads for around 25 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.