BMW K 1200 R vs Triumph Sprint

The BMW K 1200 R passes its MOT first time more often than the Triumph Sprint: 87.4% vs 85.6%, a 1.8-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025

Metric	BMW K 1200 R	Triumph Sprint
First-time pass rate	87.4%	85.6%
Outright fail rate	6.7%	8.8%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+1.8 pts	+1.8 pts
Engine size	1,157cc	955cc
Rank among all models	#1787 of 5428	#2333 of 5428
Median miles at test	15,441	20,615
MOT tests analysed	1,465	132,827
Most common failure	brakes	brakes

First-time outcomes on normal tests, 2005–2025. "Most common failure" is the component group with the most recorded defects on failed tests. Read pass rates against test counts: a smaller sample is noisier. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results.

"Vs comparable bikes" is the first-time pass rate minus the rate expected for each bike's own mix of age, mileage and test class, in percentage points: positive means better than comparable bikes. How this works.

What fails, side by side

share of each bike's MOT tests that failed on the component · lower is better

Component	BMW K 1200 R	Triumph Sprint
Brakes	2.3%	3.7%
Lights & signalling	1.6%	2.8%
Tyres & wheels	2.0%	2.2%
Steering & suspension	1.4%	2.5%
Structure & body	0.1%	0.6%
Drive system	0%	0.4%
Fuel & exhaust	0.2%	0.2%

A test that fails on two components counts once in each. Component links go to the bikes most likely to fail on it.

Pass rate by test year

first-time MOT pass rate in each calendar year both bikes were tested

Test year	BMW K 1200 R	Triumph Sprint
2010	88.4%	84.6%
2011	86.0%	84.3%
2012	88.8%	84.5%
2013	86.4%	85.4%
2014	85.5%	85.3%
2015	88.4%	85.6%
2016	87.3%	85.6%
2017	87.2%	85.5%

Each year mixes bikes of different ages, so a fleet that is getting older tends to slip.

Pass rate by mileage

first-time MOT pass rate by miles on the clock at test

Mileage	BMW K 1200 R	Triumph Sprint
0k-10k miles	90.0%	90.9%
10k-20k miles	88.7%	87.5%
20k-30k miles	83.7%	85.0%
30k-40k miles	80.7%	82.1%
40k-50k miles	87.5%	80.3%

Bands with fewer than 30 tests for either bike are left out.

BMW K 1200 R vs Triumph Sprint FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the BMW K 1200 R or the Triumph Sprint?

The BMW K 1200 R passes its MOT first time more often than the Triumph Sprint: 87.4% vs 85.6%, a 1.8-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class the two are level (+1.8 vs +1.8 points against comparable bikes), so the raw gap is mostly down to how old and how used each fleet is. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the BMW K 1200 R fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 2.3% of BMW K 1200 R MOT tests failed on it, then tyres & wheels (2.0%).

What does the Triumph Sprint fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 3.7% of Triumph Sprint MOT tests failed on it, then lights & signalling (2.8%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the BMW K 1200 R or the Triumph Sprint?

At 40k-50k miles the BMW K 1200 R passes first time more often: 87.5% for the BMW K 1200 R vs 80.3% for the Triumph Sprint.

BMW K 1200 R 87.4% pass · 1,465 tests TRIUMPH SPRINT 85.6% pass · 133k tests

See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.