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Ducati ST4S Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Ducati ST4S car check

Is the Ducati ST4S reliable? We analysed 6,084 real MOT tests across 498 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 6,084 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
88.3%
Typical Mileage
17,615mi
Annual Mileage
875mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
25yrs

The Ducati ST4S 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 wheel bearings are excessively rough. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Ducati ST4S.

Ducati ST4S Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Ducati ST4S. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Ducati ST4S MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Ducati ST4S to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

89.3%
2006
89.6%
2005
86.8%
2004
88.8%
2003
89.6%
2002
86.6%
2001

Ducati ST4S Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Ducati ST4S 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 72
Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 53
wheel bearings are excessively rough 35
wheel bearings have excessive free play 22
Steering movement excessively 'notchy' with the wheel raised 15
wheel bearings have excessive free play 14
position lamp does not illuminate immediately when switched on 14
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 13
Roller brake test indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort 13

Ducati ST4S Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Ducati ST4S owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
275 mi/yr
Typical
875 mi/yr
Average
1,516 mi/yr
Heavy usage
2,092 mi/yr

Ducati ST4S MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Ducati ST4S year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2006 112 89.3% 10,299 18,205 24,830
2005 454 89.6% 11,500 20,091 29,824
2004 818 86.8% 9,577 16,458 26,244
2003 999 88.8% 10,084 18,128 29,762
2002 1,921 89.6% 10,603 17,078 25,793
2001 1,696 86.6% 11,987 17,567 27,140

How Long Does a Ducati ST4S Last?

Based on 498 Ducati ST4S vehicles on UK roads.

Average
16.8 years
Median
18.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
25 years

Ducati ST4S Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Ducati ST4S MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
17,615 mi
75th Percentile
27,185 mi
95th Percentile
44,087 mi
Max Recorded
272,969 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Ducati ST4S

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

Best year
2002

89.6% MOT pass rate from 1,921 tests

Year to avoid
2001

86.6% MOT pass rate from 1,696 tests

The best year to buy a used Ducati ST4S is 2002, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 89.6% across 1,921 tests. The 2001 model year has the lowest pass rate at 86.6% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Ducati ST4S Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Ducati ST4S THIS CAR 88.3% 6,084 17,615 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
Renault Clio Dynamique 16V 75.2% 5,342 89,273 mi — yrs

Compared to the Ducati Multistrada (90.7% pass rate) and the Ducati 748 (86.8% pass rate), the Ducati ST4S sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Ducati ST4S?

The Ducati ST4S has an overall MOT pass rate of 88.3% across 6,084 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 ST4S are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (72 recorded failures), tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (53), and wheel bearings are excessively rough (35). 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 ST4S owner drives around 875 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 ST4S 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.

Ducati ST4S — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Ducati ST4S reliable?
Based on 6,084 MOT tests, the Ducati ST4S has a 88.3% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Ducati ST4S?
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 wheel bearings are excessively rough. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Ducati ST4S do per year?
The typical Ducati ST4S does around 875 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Ducati ST4S last?
Most Ducati ST4S models stay on UK roads for around 25 years based on our analysis of 498 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Ducati ST4S?
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 ST4S?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Ducati ST4S is 2002 with a 89.6% pass rate across 1,921 tests.