Hi and welcome onboard!
1. The only way to tell is to take the cam shafts out. This isnt included in Ducati's normal service schedules. Most bikes suffer to a great or lesser extent. I'd love to tell you that its rare but to be honest it isnt.
2. Very rare problems to do with the imobiliser i think?
3. Again quite rare although i know of a 2002 bike this has happened to. About £100 a side to fix (ebay prices!!)
4.. Starting problems (if you have them) can be down to poor setup, poor quality battery cables, low battery due to alarm etc. All easily fixed. Rushjob did the battery/starter cable mod so he'll be along soon to tell you how much it costs. Not much though.
Buy through a dealer and get a warranty which you pay for (only worth having if its from a real Ducati dealer. Most dealers havent got a clue about them . Buy privately, get it cheaper but take your chances.
11-Mar-2005, 23:02 
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