Buell XB12X vs Triumph Sprint

The Triumph Sprint passes its MOT first time more often than the Buell XB12X: 85.6% vs 85.1%, a 0.5-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Buell XB12X	Triumph Sprint
First-time pass rate	85.1%	85.6%
Outright fail rate	7.1%	8.8%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-0.4 pts	+1.8 pts
Engine size	1,203cc	955cc
Rank among all models	#2469 of 5428	#2333 of 5428
Median miles at test	14,654	20,615
MOT tests analysed	510	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	Buell XB12X	Triumph Sprint
Lights & signalling	3.5%	2.8%
Brakes	2.4%	3.7%
Steering & suspension	2.0%	2.5%
Tyres & wheels	1.4%	2.2%
Structure & body	0.4%	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	Buell XB12X	Triumph Sprint
2010	82.9%	84.6%
2011	89.1%	84.3%
2012	95.3%	84.5%
2013	83.3%	85.4%
2014	87.2%	85.3%
2015	75.7%	85.6%
2016	83.3%	85.6%
2017	90.9%	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	Buell XB12X	Triumph Sprint
0k-10k miles	88.6%	90.9%
10k-20k miles	81.5%	87.5%
20k-30k miles	85.3%	85.0%
30k-40k miles	86.5%	82.1%

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

Buell XB12X vs Triumph Sprint FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Buell XB12X or the Triumph Sprint?

The Triumph Sprint passes its MOT first time more often than the Buell XB12X: 85.6% vs 85.1%, a 0.5-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Triumph Sprint still comes out ahead: -0.4 points vs comparable bikes for the Buell XB12X, +1.8 for the Triumph Sprint. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Buell XB12X fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 3.5% of Buell XB12X MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (2.4%).

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 XB12X or the Triumph Sprint?

At 30k-40k miles the Buell XB12X passes first time more often: 86.5% for the Buell XB12X vs 82.1% for the Triumph Sprint.

BUELL XB12X 85.1% pass · 510 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.