TRIUMPH 885

885cc Petrol Class 2

87.9%

first-time pass rate

7.1%

failed outright

22,010

median miles at test

198

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate by mileage

how the 885's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage 885 passes first time 84.8% of the time; by 40k that's 97.1%.

First-time pass rate by odometer reading at test, 10,000-mile bands for this model. Mileage is the strongest reliability signal. See the full curve.

What fails on a 885

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects
brakes	9	42.9
lighting and signalling	5	23.8
suspension	3	14.3
tyres and wheels	1	4.8
lamps and reflectors	1	4.8
drive system	1	4.8
driving controls	1	4.8

Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects.

How rivals compare

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the 885 beats 3 of its 4 closest rivals (BMW R1150, TRIUMPH SPRINT, HONDA VFR800 FI).

BMW R1150 88.5% pass · 171k tests TRIUMPH SPRINT 85.6% pass · 133k tests HONDA VFR800 FI 86.7% pass · 89.4k tests KAWASAKI ZX-9R 80.7% pass · 89.0k tests

Rivals share this bike's type and sit within ±30% of its engine capacity, ≥ 5,000 tests. Card colour = better/worse first-time pass rate than the 885.

Pass rate by registration year

how each model-year cohort fares · registration year from first use date

Best year to buy used: 1996 (77.4% pass). Weakest: 1996 (77.4%).

First-time pass rate by the year each bike was first registered (cohorts with ≥ 50 tests). Older cohorts are survivors: the worst examples have already left the road, which tends to lift the earliest years.