KTM RC8 vs Triumph Sprint

The Triumph Sprint passes its MOT first time more often than the KTM RC8: 85.6% vs 84.7%, a 0.9-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	KTM RC8	Triumph Sprint
First-time pass rate	84.7%	85.6%
Outright fail rate	7.0%	8.8%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-1.9 pts	+1.8 pts
Engine size	1,190cc	955cc
Rank among all models	#2572 of 5428	#2333 of 5428
Median miles at test	10,351	20,615
MOT tests analysed	1,604	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 RC8	Triumph Sprint
Lights & signalling	4.4%	2.8%
Brakes	1.2%	3.7%
Tyres & wheels	1.1%	2.2%
Steering & suspension	0.7%	2.5%
Structure & body	0.6%	0.6%
Drive system	0.1%	0.4%
Fuel & exhaust	0.3%	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	KTM RC8	Triumph Sprint
2018	87.9%	86.2%
2019	81.9%	86.1%
2020	91.8%	86.4%
2021	83.0%	86.7%
2022	83.0%	85.9%
2023	86.8%	86.4%
2024	86.7%	86.8%
2025	84.8%	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	KTM RC8	Triumph Sprint
0k-10k miles	84.0%	90.9%
10k-20k miles	87.3%	87.5%
20k-30k miles	84.1%	85.0%
30k-40k miles	75.8%	82.1%

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

KTM RC8 vs Triumph Sprint FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

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

The Triumph Sprint passes its MOT first time more often than the KTM RC8: 85.6% vs 84.7%, a 0.9-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Triumph Sprint still comes out ahead: -1.9 points vs comparable bikes for the KTM RC8, +1.8 for the Triumph Sprint. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the KTM RC8 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 4.4% of KTM RC8 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (1.2%).

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 RC8 or the Triumph Sprint?

At 30k-40k miles the Triumph Sprint passes first time more often: 75.8% for the KTM RC8 vs 82.1% for the Triumph Sprint.

KTM RC8 84.7% pass · 1,604 tests TRIUMPH SPRINT 85.6% pass · 133k tests

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