BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ KTM 1190 RC8/vs Triumph Sprint
Head-to-head · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

KTM 1190 RC8 vs Triumph Sprint

The Triumph Sprint passes its MOT first time more often than the KTM 1190 RC8: 85.6% vs 84.2%, a 1.4-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
Metric KTM 1190 RC8 Triumph Sprint
First-time pass rate 84.2% 85.6%
Outright fail rate 8.0% 8.8%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) -2.2 pts +1.8 pts
Engine size 1,150cc 955cc
Rank among all models #2690 of 5428 #2333 of 5428
Median miles at test 10,787 20,615
MOT tests analysed 1,911 132,827
Most common failure lighting and signalling 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 KTM 1190 RC8 Triumph Sprint
Lights & signalling 5.5% 2.8%
Brakes 1.5% 3.7%
Tyres & wheels 1.3% 2.2%
Steering & suspension 0.9% 2.5%
Structure & body 0.7% 0.6%
Fuel & exhaust 0.4% 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 KTM 1190 RC8 Triumph Sprint
2018 82.5% 86.2%
2019 80.4% 86.1%
2020 86.2% 86.4%
2021 86.4% 86.7%
2022 87.5% 85.9%
2023 86.9% 86.4%
2024 85.3% 86.8%
2025 90.0% 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 KTM 1190 RC8 Triumph Sprint
0k-10k miles 84.6% 90.9%
10k-20k miles 85.4% 87.5%
20k-30k miles 81.6% 85.0%
30k-40k miles 80.4% 82.1%

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

KTM 1190 RC8 vs Triumph Sprint FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the KTM 1190 RC8 or the Triumph Sprint?

The Triumph Sprint passes its MOT first time more often than the KTM 1190 RC8: 85.6% vs 84.2%, a 1.4-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Triumph Sprint still comes out ahead: -2.2 points vs comparable bikes for the KTM 1190 RC8, +1.8 for the Triumph Sprint. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the KTM 1190 RC8 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 5.5% of KTM 1190 RC8 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (1.5%).

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 KTM 1190 RC8 or the Triumph Sprint?

At 30k-40k miles the Triumph Sprint passes first time more often: 80.4% for the KTM 1190 RC8 vs 82.1% for the Triumph Sprint.

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