Honda CB750 vs Triumph Trident

The Triumph Trident passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda CB750: 85.0% vs 82.9%, a 2.1-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Honda CB750	Triumph Trident
First-time pass rate	82.9%	85.0%
Outright fail rate	9.8%	8.8%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-1.1 pts	+1.0 pts
Engine size	748cc	885cc
Rank among all models	#2985 of 5428	#2491 of 5428
Median miles at test	25,766	23,417
MOT tests analysed	18,794	23,936
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	Honda CB750	Triumph Trident
Brakes	4.2%	3.9%
Lights & signalling	4.0%	3.3%
Steering & suspension	3.7%	2.9%
Tyres & wheels	1.9%	1.8%
Structure & body	0.8%	0.8%
Drive system	0.7%	0.5%
Fuel & exhaust	0.8%	0.3%

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	Honda CB750	Triumph Trident
2018	83.7%	85.4%
2019	83.0%	86.5%
2020	84.8%	87.3%
2021	83.3%	85.4%
2022	85.9%	83.9%
2023	88.2%	88.7%
2024	85.9%	90.5%
2025	85.5%	90.2%

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	Honda CB750	Triumph Trident
0k-10k miles	84.4%	89.7%
10k-20k miles	85.8%	86.6%
20k-30k miles	84.2%	83.6%
30k-40k miles	80.7%	82.4%
40k-50k miles	81.1%	82.6%
50k-60k miles	78.2%	80.6%

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

Honda CB750 vs Triumph Trident FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Honda CB750 or the Triumph Trident?

The Triumph Trident passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda CB750: 85.0% vs 82.9%, a 2.1-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Triumph Trident still comes out ahead: -1.1 points vs comparable bikes for the Honda CB750, +1.0 for the Triumph Trident. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Honda CB750 fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 4.2% of Honda CB750 MOT tests failed on it, then lights & signalling (4.0%).

What does the Triumph Trident fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 3.9% of Triumph Trident MOT tests failed on it, then lights & signalling (3.3%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Honda CB750 or the Triumph Trident?

At 50k-60k miles the Triumph Trident passes first time more often: 78.2% for the Honda CB750 vs 80.6% for the Triumph Trident.

HONDA CB750 82.9% pass · 18.8k tests TRIUMPH TRIDENT 85.0% pass · 23.9k tests

See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.