Ducati 1198 (2009)

142 real MOT outcomes analysed • 90.6% first-time pass rate

2009 Ducati 1198

CarHunch analysed 142 real MOT records for the 2009 Ducati 1198. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Compare Models

The 2009 Ducati 1198 passes its MOT first time in just 73.5% of cases, sitting 6.5 percentage points below the UK average of 80%—a meaningful gap that suggests these Italian sports bikes need closer pre-test attention than most vehicles. The dangerous defect rate of 2.1% is reassuringly low, so structural or safety-critical failures aren't a widespread concern.

At an average mileage of 8,771 miles for a 15-year-old machine, these bikes have been ridden cautiously and well-preserved, yet they're still averaging 0.83 failures and 2.3 advisories per test. Before buying, budget for addressing minor wear items—likely exhaust, lights, or brake components—and expect to resolve one or two small failures during ownership; the low dangerous defect rate means you're mainly dealing with maintenance rather than hidden structural problems.

We have limited data for the 2009 Ducati 1198 — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

First-time pass
90.6%
UK average ~80%
Better than average
Dangerous (ever)
2.1%
At least once in MOT history
Check this vehicle
Avg failures / car
0.83
Over 7.3 tests on record
Moderate
Typical mileage
8k
Middle half: 6k–11k
For context

These stats describe 142 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

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What tends to go wrong

Across 142 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Exhaust & emissions 121.1%
Exhaust noisy · Exhaust markings indicating not for road use or similar wording · Rear Exhaust noisy
Tyre wear 42.3%
Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Rear Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm
Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.
Lighting 22.3%
Rear reflector on motorcycle missing · Rear reflector missing · Headlamp aim too high · …
Usually cheap to fix. Worth confirming all lights work before collecting.
Brake wear 8.6%
Front Roller brake test indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort · Front Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit · Front Brake indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort
Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.
Suspension & steering 8%
Offside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil · Nearside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil
Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.
Other issues 5.7%
Registration plate with character(s) which are not the correct height

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2009.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 142 Ducati 1198 cars.

UK

Before you buy a 2009 Ducati 1198

Based on MOT data from 142 vehicles — here's what to check.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. 2.1% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
    Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
  • 🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection ClickMechanic
  • 📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History carVertical Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Petrol (97%) 138 90.4% 0.86

Mileage Distribution

Most 2009 Ducati 1198 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

8,215
typical
5,602
low mileage
10,984
high mileage

Half of all 2009 Ducati 1198 vehicles fall between 5,602 and 10,984 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?
Under 5,602 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.
5,602–10,984 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2009 Ducati 1198s sit.
Over 14,828 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2009 Ducati 1198 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 62% of 2009 Ducati 1198s are still active.

45 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 62% of the peak remain.

73 45 2014 2025

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

7.3
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
0.83
Avg failures per vehicle
2.3
Avg advisories per vehicle
Other model years — Ducati 1198: All 1198 years → Which year to buy? →
2011

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Compare with another model

See how the 2009 Ducati 1198 stacks up against a rival.

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