BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ Kawasaki KLZ 1000 Acf/vs Triumph Sprint
Head-to-head · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

Kawasaki KLZ 1000 Acf vs Triumph Sprint

The Kawasaki KLZ 1000 Acf passes its MOT first time more often than the Triumph Sprint: 89.1% vs 85.6%, a 3.5-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
Metric Kawasaki KLZ 1000 Acf Triumph Sprint
First-time pass rate 89.1% 85.6%
Outright fail rate 4.8% 8.8%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) +3.9 pts +1.8 pts
Engine size 1,043cc 955cc
Rank among all models #1243 of 5428 #2333 of 5428
Median miles at test 16,034 20,615
MOT tests analysed 2,422 132,827
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 Kawasaki KLZ 1000 Acf Triumph Sprint
Lights & signalling 2.4% 2.8%
Brakes 1.0% 3.7%
Tyres & wheels 1.6% 2.2%
Steering & suspension 1.0% 2.5%
Structure & body 0.7% 0.6%
Drive system 0.1% 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 Kawasaki KLZ 1000 Acf Triumph Sprint
2018 88.9% 86.2%
2019 89.3% 86.1%
2020 88.1% 86.4%
2021 86.4% 86.7%
2022 88.7% 85.9%
2023 84.1% 86.4%
2024 87.0% 86.8%
2025 80.8% 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 Kawasaki KLZ 1000 Acf Triumph Sprint
0k-10k miles 94.7% 90.9%
10k-20k miles 90.4% 87.5%
20k-30k miles 85.1% 85.0%
30k-40k miles 79.9% 82.1%
40k-50k miles 86.7% 80.3%

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

Kawasaki KLZ 1000 Acf vs Triumph Sprint FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Kawasaki KLZ 1000 Acf or the Triumph Sprint?

The Kawasaki KLZ 1000 Acf passes its MOT first time more often than the Triumph Sprint: 89.1% vs 85.6%, a 3.5-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Kawasaki KLZ 1000 Acf still comes out ahead: +3.9 points vs comparable bikes for the Kawasaki KLZ 1000 Acf, +1.8 for the Triumph Sprint. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Kawasaki KLZ 1000 Acf fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 2.4% of Kawasaki KLZ 1000 Acf MOT tests failed on it, then tyres & wheels (1.6%).

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 Kawasaki KLZ 1000 Acf or the Triumph Sprint?

At 40k-50k miles the Kawasaki KLZ 1000 Acf passes first time more often: 86.7% for the Kawasaki KLZ 1000 Acf vs 80.3% for the Triumph Sprint.

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