Ducati 748 (1997)
1997 Ducati 748
CarHunch analysed 413 real MOT records for the 1997 Ducati 748. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1997 Ducati 748 passes its MOT first time in 86.5% of cases, which is a solid 6.5 percentage points above the UK average—a reassuring sign for a 27-year-old sports bike. Only 7.3% of these machines have ever recorded a dangerous defect, suggesting that most examples on the road aren't carrying critical safety issues.
These 748s typically show just 1.17 failures per vehicle and 2.9 advisories, indicating they're well-maintained rather than neglected, though the median mileage of 16,359 is relatively low for their age—watch for storage history or incomplete service records. If you're considering one, check the full MOT history for patterns of repeat failures, and budget for the inevitable wear items on a nearly three-decade-old Italian superbike.
What to check before buying a 1997 Ducati 748
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Ducati 748
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (100%) | 412 | 86.6% | 1.17 |
| Diesel (0%) | 1 | 50% | 1 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1997 Ducati 748 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 1997 Ducati 748 vehicles fall between 11,125 and 23,372 miles.
1997 Ducati 748 — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 69 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (43% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1997 Ducati 748
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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40.1%
Exhaust noisy
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28.3%
Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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20.8%
Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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13.9%
Front Roller brake test indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort
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12.9%
Rear Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit
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12.7%
Drive chain slightly loose
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12.2%
Front Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies
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11.4%
Exhaust noisy
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1997. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Ducati 748?
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