Buell M2 vs Triumph Sprint

The Buell M2 passes its MOT first time more often than the Triumph Sprint: 86.5% vs 85.6%, a 0.9-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Buell M2	Triumph Sprint
First-time pass rate	86.5%	85.6%
Outright fail rate	6.3%	8.8%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+1.3 pts	+1.8 pts
Engine size	1,200cc	955cc
Rank among all models	#2052 of 5428	#2333 of 5428
Median miles at test	13,398	20,615
MOT tests analysed	3,474	132,827
Most common failure	lighting and signalling	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	Buell M2	Triumph Sprint
Brakes	2.1%	3.7%
Lights & signalling	2.8%	2.8%
Steering & suspension	2.0%	2.5%
Tyres & wheels	1.2%	2.2%
Fuel & exhaust	0.5%	0.2%
Structure & body	0.1%	0.6%
Drive system	0.1%	0.4%

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	Buell M2	Triumph Sprint
2018	86.2%	86.2%
2019	89.8%	86.1%
2020	92.1%	86.4%
2021	89.3%	86.7%
2022	88.1%	85.9%
2023	89.3%	86.4%
2024	90.0%	86.8%
2025	92.0%	86.8%

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	Buell M2	Triumph Sprint
0k-10k miles	86.6%	90.9%
10k-20k miles	87.3%	87.5%
20k-30k miles	84.8%	85.0%
30k-40k miles	83.7%	82.1%
40k-50k miles	83.8%	80.3%

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

Buell M2 vs Triumph Sprint FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Buell M2 or the Triumph Sprint?

The Buell M2 passes its MOT first time more often than the Triumph Sprint: 86.5% vs 85.6%, a 0.9-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class the two are level (+1.3 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 Buell M2 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 2.8% of Buell M2 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (2.1%).

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 Buell M2 or the Triumph Sprint?

At 40k-50k miles the Buell M2 passes first time more often: 83.8% for the Buell M2 vs 80.3% for the Triumph Sprint.

BUELL M2 86.5% pass · 3,474 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.