Ducati M821 vs Triumph Sprint

The Ducati M821 passes its MOT first time more often than the Triumph Sprint: 88.5% vs 85.6%, a 2.9-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Ducati M821	Triumph Sprint
First-time pass rate	88.5%	85.6%
Outright fail rate	5.7%	8.8%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-0.7 pts	+1.8 pts
Engine size	821cc	955cc
Rank among all models	#1449 of 5428	#2333 of 5428
Median miles at test	5,224	20,615
MOT tests analysed	1,907	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	Ducati M821	Triumph Sprint
Brakes	3.5%	3.7%
Lights & signalling	1.8%	2.8%
Steering & suspension	0.6%	2.5%
Tyres & wheels	0.4%	2.2%
Structure & body	0.7%	0.6%
Drive system	0%	0.4%
Fuel & exhaust	0%	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	Ducati M821	Triumph Sprint
2020	90.5%	86.4%
2021	88.3%	86.7%
2022	88.4%	85.9%
2023	89.3%	86.4%
2024	88.0%	86.8%
2025	87.7%	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	Ducati M821	Triumph Sprint
0k-10k miles	89.4%	90.9%
10k-20k miles	82.4%	87.5%
20k-30k miles	87.5%	85.0%

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

Ducati M821 vs Triumph Sprint FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Ducati M821 or the Triumph Sprint?

The Ducati M821 passes its MOT first time more often than the Triumph Sprint: 88.5% vs 85.6%, a 2.9-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Triumph Sprint still comes out ahead: -0.7 points vs comparable bikes for the Ducati M821, +1.8 for the Triumph Sprint. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Ducati M821 fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 3.5% of Ducati M821 MOT tests failed on it, then lights & signalling (1.8%).

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 Ducati M821 or the Triumph Sprint?

At 20k-30k miles the Ducati M821 passes first time more often: 87.5% for the Ducati M821 vs 85.0% for the Triumph Sprint.

DUCATI M821 88.5% pass · 1,907 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.