BMW R1150 GS vs Triumph Sprint

The BMW R1150 GS passes its MOT first time more often than the Triumph Sprint: 86.7% vs 85.6%, a 1.1-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	BMW R1150 GS	Triumph Sprint
First-time pass rate	86.7%	85.6%
Outright fail rate	6.4%	8.8%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+4.8 pts	+1.8 pts
Engine size	1,150cc	955cc
Rank among all models	#1985 of 5428	#2333 of 5428
Median miles at test	34,106	20,615
MOT tests analysed	1,078	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 R1150 GS	Triumph Sprint
Brakes	3.4%	3.7%
Lights & signalling	2.0%	2.8%
Steering & suspension	1.6%	2.5%
Tyres & wheels	1.1%	2.2%
Structure & body	0%	0.6%
Drive system	0%	0.4%
Fuel & exhaust	0.1%	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 R1150 GS	Triumph Sprint
2010	89.9%	84.6%
2011	82.4%	84.3%
2012	91.5%	84.5%
2013	87.5%	85.4%
2014	85.1%	85.3%
2015	88.0%	85.6%
2016	78.0%	85.6%
2017	82.2%	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 R1150 GS	Triumph Sprint
0k-10k miles	95.7%	90.9%
10k-20k miles	95.6%	87.5%
20k-30k miles	84.1%	85.0%
30k-40k miles	86.7%	82.1%
40k-50k miles	87.0%	80.3%
50k-60k miles	83.2%	79.3%

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

BMW R1150 GS vs Triumph Sprint FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the BMW R1150 GS or the Triumph Sprint?

The BMW R1150 GS passes its MOT first time more often than the Triumph Sprint: 86.7% vs 85.6%, a 1.1-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the BMW R1150 GS still comes out ahead: +4.8 points vs comparable bikes for the BMW R1150 GS, +1.8 for the Triumph Sprint. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the BMW R1150 GS fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 3.4% of BMW R1150 GS MOT tests failed on it, then lights & signalling (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 R1150 GS or the Triumph Sprint?

At 50k-60k miles the BMW R1150 GS passes first time more often: 83.2% for the BMW R1150 GS vs 79.3% for the Triumph Sprint.

BMW R1150 GS 86.7% pass · 1,078 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.