1997 Ducati 900 0.9L Petrol · R602 BAH

A persistent exhaust noise advisory across three consecutive MOT tests is the defining mechanical thread in this Ducati 900's roadworthiness record. The most recent test on 14 March 2026 returned a clean pass with no defects recorded, but the broader trend reveals an exhaust system that has been flagged for excessive noise at every annual check since 2023, with the 2025 test repeating the same observation and the earlier 2022 and 2024 tests sitting either side without comment. On a motorcycle of this age and air-cooled architecture, a noisy exhaust typically points to a failing silencer, loose mounting clamps, perished header gaskets, or internal baffle breakdown. While none of these items have yet crossed the threshold into a failure, the recurrence suggests the underlying wear is progressive rather than resolved and warrants close physical inspection before purchase. With 41,914 miles recorded against a 1997 manufacture date, the average annual accumulation works out at roughly 1,445 miles, which is notably low for a nearly three-decade-old motorcycle. Such a modest figure is consistent with a machine that has seen only seasonal or weekend use, or has spent extended periods laid up in storage. The MOT sequence itself shows uninterrupted annual testing from 2022 through 2026 with no gaps, indicating the bike has remained on the road throughout this period, yet the recorded mileage progression across these four tests reflects very gentle use rather than the substantial mileages typically covered by Ducati owners in active riding seasons. Mechanically, low mileage on a fuel-injected, belt or chain-driven Ducati of this era does not necessarily equate to a pristine drivetrain, as standing time can be just as punishing as high miles, particularly for seals, gaskets, fuel system components, and battery health. Any service history corroborating regular fluid changes and at least occasional running would significantly de-risk this profile. For a prospective buyer, the immediate priority is a hands-on examination of the exhaust system, given the three-year run of noise advisories. With the engine cold and then warm, listen for ticking from the header joints that would suggest a blown gasket, and check that the silencer body is not holed, dented, or packing-loose by tapping it gently and listening for a rattle. Inspect the mounting brackets and rubber hangers for cracks, as a loose rear loop will amplify noise at the MOT noise meter. Beyond this, the low annual mileage demands scrutiny of items that suffer from standing rather than riding. Check for perished fuel lines and dry-rotted vacuum hoses under the tank, examine the brake calipers for binding or seized pistons by spinning the wheels and feeling for roughness, and look closely at the front fork seals and rear shock linkage for any signs of oil misting or weeping that may not have been flagged because wear has not yet reached advisory level. On the test ride, pay particular attention to symptoms that reflect the likely weak points of a low-mileage Ducati of this vintage. Cold starting behaviour, throttle response hesitation, and any irregular idle should be noted, as these can betray stale fuel, a tired fuel pump, or a duff injector. Feel for clutch drag or a notchy gear change that might suggest corrosion on the input splines from infrequent use, and listen for chain or primary drive noise that points to a dried and neglected drivetrain. Brake feel should be firm and progressive with no sponginess that would indicate old fluid or a master cylinder that has not been exercised regularly, and the suspension should move freely without clonks over uneven surfaces. Given the recurring exhaust advisory and the modest usage pattern, a pre-purchase inspection by a Ducati specialist who can compression-test the desmodromic valve clearances and check the timing belts if fitted would be a prudent final step.