BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ Honda ST1100L/vs Triumph Sprint
Head-to-head · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

Honda ST1100L vs Triumph Sprint

The Triumph Sprint passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda ST1100L: 85.6% vs 80.1%, a 5.5-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
Metric Honda ST1100L Triumph Sprint
First-time pass rate 80.1% 85.6%
Outright fail rate 14.9% 8.8%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) 0.0 pts +1.8 pts
Engine size 1,099cc 955cc
Rank among all models #3557 of 5428 #2333 of 5428
Median miles at test 58,798 20,615
MOT tests analysed 4,217 132,827
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 Honda ST1100L Triumph Sprint
Brakes 7.9% 3.7%
Steering & suspension 5.5% 2.5%
Lights & signalling 3.8% 2.8%
Tyres & wheels 3.7% 2.2%
Structure & body 0.9% 0.6%
Fuel & exhaust 1.1% 0.2%
Drive system 0% 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 Honda ST1100L Triumph Sprint
2013 78.9% 85.4%
2014 75.7% 85.3%
2015 79.8% 85.6%
2016 76.8% 85.6%
2017 78.7% 85.5%
2018 77.5% 86.2%
2019 79.6% 86.1%
2020 76.7% 86.4%

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 ST1100L Triumph Sprint
0k-10k miles 75.0% 90.9%
10k-20k miles 79.0% 87.5%
20k-30k miles 89.0% 85.0%
30k-40k miles 85.0% 82.1%
40k-50k miles 82.6% 80.3%
50k-60k miles 80.8% 79.3%

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

Honda ST1100L vs Triumph Sprint FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Honda ST1100L or the Triumph Sprint?

The Triumph Sprint passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda ST1100L: 85.6% vs 80.1%, a 5.5-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Triumph Sprint still comes out ahead: 0.0 points vs comparable bikes for the Honda ST1100L, +1.8 for the Triumph Sprint. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Honda ST1100L fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 7.9% of Honda ST1100L MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (5.5%).

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 Honda ST1100L or the Triumph Sprint?

At 50k-60k miles the Honda ST1100L passes first time more often: 80.8% for the Honda ST1100L vs 79.3% for the Triumph Sprint.

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