Ducati S4R Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Ducati S4R car check
Is the Ducati S4R reliable? We analysed 2,001 real MOT tests across 223 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Ducati S4R? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Ducati S4R 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 roller brake test indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Ducati S4R.
Ducati S4R Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Ducati S4R. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Ducati S4R MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Ducati S4R to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Ducati S4R Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Ducati S4R fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Ducati S4R Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Ducati S4R owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Ducati S4R MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Ducati S4R year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 342 | 89.8% | 5,065 | 9,013 | 13,674 |
| 2007 | 234 | 90.2% | 4,174 | 6,854 | 12,434 |
| 2006 | 264 | 88.3% | 4,878 | 9,155 | 13,641 |
| 2005 | 221 | 90.5% | 3,140 | 8,076 | 12,417 |
| 2004 | 669 | 87.9% | 6,094 | 9,398 | 14,122 |
| 2003 | 238 | 88.7% | 5,851 | 9,424 | 14,364 |
How Long Does a Ducati S4R Last?
Based on 223 Ducati S4R vehicles on UK roads.
Ducati S4R Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Ducati S4R 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 S4R
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
90.5% MOT pass rate from 221 tests
87.9% MOT pass rate from 669 tests
The best year to buy a used Ducati S4R is 2005, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 90.5% across 221 tests. The 2004 model year has the lowest pass rate at 87.9% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Ducati S4R Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ducati S4R THIS CAR | 89.0% | 2,001 | 8,848 mi | 23 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 |
| Chevrolet Unknown | 85.2% | 1,384 | 43,354 mi | 13 yrs |
Compared to the Ducati Multistrada (90.7% pass rate) and the Ducati 748 (86.8% pass rate), the Ducati S4R sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Ducati S4R 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 S4RShould you buy a used Ducati S4R?
The Ducati S4R has an overall MOT pass rate of 89.0% across 2,001 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 S4R are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (14 recorded failures), reflector on motorcycle missing (12), and roller brake test indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort (9). 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 S4R owner drives around 464 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 S4R models stay on UK roads for around 23 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.