Buell S1 Lightning vs Triumph Sprint

The Triumph Sprint passes its MOT first time more often than the Buell S1 Lightning: 85.6% vs 84.1%, a 1.5-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Buell S1 Lightning	Triumph Sprint
First-time pass rate	84.1%	85.6%
Outright fail rate	8.6%	8.8%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-1.9 pts	+1.8 pts
Engine size	1,200cc	955cc
Rank among all models	#2721 of 5428	#2333 of 5428
Median miles at test	11,469	20,615
MOT tests analysed	560	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 S1 Lightning	Triumph Sprint
Lights & signalling	5.5%	2.8%
Steering & suspension	3.8%	2.5%
Brakes	0.9%	3.7%
Tyres & wheels	2.0%	2.2%
Fuel & exhaust	1.6%	0.2%
Structure & body	0.9%	0.6%
Drive system	0.4%	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 S1 Lightning	Triumph Sprint
2006	81.5%	87.0%
2007	84.1%	85.9%
2008	100.0%	84.8%
2009	81.1%	84.1%
2011	73.0%	84.3%
2012	87.9%	84.5%

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	Buell S1 Lightning	Triumph Sprint
0k-10k miles	85.9%	90.9%
10k-20k miles	83.4%	87.5%
20k-30k miles	81.3%	85.0%

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

Buell S1 Lightning vs Triumph Sprint FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Buell S1 Lightning or the Triumph Sprint?

The Triumph Sprint passes its MOT first time more often than the Buell S1 Lightning: 85.6% vs 84.1%, a 1.5-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Triumph Sprint still comes out ahead: -1.9 points vs comparable bikes for the Buell S1 Lightning, +1.8 for the Triumph Sprint. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Buell S1 Lightning fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 5.5% of Buell S1 Lightning MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (3.8%).

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 S1 Lightning or the Triumph Sprint?

At 20k-30k miles the Triumph Sprint passes first time more often: 81.3% for the Buell S1 Lightning vs 85.0% for the Triumph Sprint.

BUELL S1 LIGHTNING 84.1% pass · 560 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.