Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2018 Ducati Multistrada 1260 S?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2018 Ducati Multistrada 1260 S?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2018 Ducati Multistrada 1260 S?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

Is the 2018 Ducati Multistrada 1260 S reliable?

Based on MOT data from 331 vehicles, the 2018 Ducati Multistrada 1260 S has a first-time MOT pass rate of 95.1%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2018 Ducati Multistrada 1260 S?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Ducati Multistrada 1260 S (2018)

331 real MOT outcomes analysed • 95.1% first-time pass rate

2018 Ducati Multistrada 1260 S

CarHunch analysed 331 real MOT records for the 2018 Ducati Multistrada 1260 S. 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 Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

Moderate sample. 331 vehicles on record. Figures are indicative — the specific vehicle's history matters more than these averages.

This 2018 Ducati Multistrada 1260 S is noticeably more reliable than the UK average, with an 89.1% first-time MOT pass rate against the national 80% benchmark. Only 5.7% of these bikes have ever recorded a dangerous defect, which is reassuringly low and suggests the model's engineering is sound.

The median mileage of just under 12,000 miles is genuinely low for a six-year-old adventure bike, indicating most owners have treated them as weekend weapons rather than daily commuters—a positive sign for those considering a used purchase. With an average of only 0.26 failures per vehicle and 1.2 advisories, these machines are straightforward to maintain; your main focus should be verifying full service history and checking brake fluid and coolant condition before handing over cash.

The 2018 Ducati Multistrada 1260 S passes its MOT first time more often than most UK vehicles (95.1% vs ~80% average) — and when it does fail, it's usually something minor and cheap to fix.

⚠️ Around 1 in 20 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

95.1%

UK average ~80%

Better than average

Dangerous (ever)

5.7%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.26

Over 4.4 tests on record

Low

Typical mileage

12k

Middle half: 8k–16k

For context

✅ Good baseline reliability. A 95.1% first-time pass rate puts this well above the UK average — it's a well-sorted vehicle in this age bracket.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 331 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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See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 331 Ducati Multistrada 1260 S cars.

Before you buy a 2018 Ducati Multistrada 1260 S

Based on MOT data from 331 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 5.7% 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 →
📄 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 Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (97%)	322	95%	0.26

Colour Breakdown

Based on 740 Ducati Multistrada 1260 S vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Red 64.2%

475

Grey 20.7%

153

White 15.1%

112

Mileage Distribution

Most 2018 Ducati Multistrada 1260 S 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.

11,999

typical

7,896

low mileage

15,958

high mileage

Half of all 2018 Ducati Multistrada 1260 S vehicles fall between 7,896 and 15,958 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 7,896 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.

✓ 7,896–15,958 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2018 Ducati Multistrada 1260 Ss sit.

⚠ Over 21,543 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2018 Ducati Multistrada 1260 S — Still on the Road

Almost all 2018 Ducati Multistrada 1260 Ss are still on the road.

Strong survival — 255 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 96% of the peak.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2021–2025.

MOT History Averages

4.4

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.26

Avg failures per vehicle

1.2

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Ducati Multistrada 1260 S: All Multistrada 1260 S years → Which year to buy? →

2019

Or browse all models: Ducati →

Compare with another model

See how the 2018 Ducati Multistrada 1260 S stacks up against a rival.

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