BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ Honda VT 1300 CX-A/vs Triumph Sprint
Head-to-head · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

Honda VT 1300 CX-A vs Triumph Sprint

The Honda VT 1300 CX-A passes its MOT first time more often than the Triumph Sprint: 93.7% vs 85.6%, a 8.1-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
Metric Honda VT 1300 CX-A Triumph Sprint
First-time pass rate 93.7% 85.6%
Outright fail rate 2.8% 8.8%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) +5.9 pts +1.8 pts
Engine size 1,312cc 955cc
Rank among all models #214 of 5428 #2333 of 5428
Median miles at test 6,339 20,615
MOT tests analysed 1,484 132,827
Most common failure lamps and reflectors 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 VT 1300 CX-A Triumph Sprint
Brakes 0.5% 3.7%
Lights & signalling 0.8% 2.8%
Tyres & wheels 1.0% 2.2%
Steering & suspension 0% 2.5%
Structure & body 0.1% 0.6%
Fuel & exhaust 0.3% 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 VT 1300 CX-A Triumph Sprint
2018 96.7% 86.2%
2019 96.5% 86.1%
2020 92.6% 86.4%
2021 91.0% 86.7%
2022 96.1% 85.9%
2023 91.7% 86.4%
2024 95.8% 86.8%
2025 90.9% 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 Honda VT 1300 CX-A Triumph Sprint
0k-10k miles 93.6% 90.9%
10k-20k miles 94.1% 87.5%
20k-30k miles 93.4% 85.0%

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

Honda VT 1300 CX-A vs Triumph Sprint FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Honda VT 1300 CX-A or the Triumph Sprint?

The Honda VT 1300 CX-A passes its MOT first time more often than the Triumph Sprint: 93.7% vs 85.6%, a 8.1-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda VT 1300 CX-A still comes out ahead: +5.9 points vs comparable bikes for the Honda VT 1300 CX-A, +1.8 for the Triumph Sprint. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Honda VT 1300 CX-A fail its MOT on most?

Tyres & wheels: 1.0% of Honda VT 1300 CX-A MOT tests failed on it, then lights & signalling (0.8%).

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 Honda VT 1300 CX-A or the Triumph Sprint?

At 20k-30k miles the Honda VT 1300 CX-A passes first time more often: 93.4% for the Honda VT 1300 CX-A vs 85.0% for the Triumph Sprint.

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