Moto Guzzi V85 TT vs Triumph Sprint

The Moto Guzzi V85 TT passes its MOT first time more often than the Triumph Sprint: 94.7% vs 85.6%, a 9.1-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Moto Guzzi V85 TT	Triumph Sprint
First-time pass rate	94.7%	85.6%
Outright fail rate	2.4%	8.8%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+6.8 pts	+1.8 pts
Engine size	853cc	955cc
Rank among all models	#105 of 5428	#2333 of 5428
Median miles at test	8,734	20,615
MOT tests analysed	1,290	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	Moto Guzzi V85 TT	Triumph Sprint
Brakes	0.6%	3.7%
Lights & signalling	1.1%	2.8%
Steering & suspension	0.6%	2.5%
Tyres & wheels	0.2%	2.2%
Structure & body	0.2%	0.6%
Drive system	0%	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	Moto Guzzi V85 TT	Triumph Sprint
2022	96.0%	85.9%
2023	94.3%	86.4%
2024	93.5%	86.8%
2025	95.3%	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	Moto Guzzi V85 TT	Triumph Sprint
0k-10k miles	95.8%	90.9%
10k-20k miles	94.1%	87.5%
20k-30k miles	90.8%	85.0%

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

Moto Guzzi V85 TT vs Triumph Sprint FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Moto Guzzi V85 TT or the Triumph Sprint?

The Moto Guzzi V85 TT passes its MOT first time more often than the Triumph Sprint: 94.7% vs 85.6%, a 9.1-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Moto Guzzi V85 TT still comes out ahead: +6.8 points vs comparable bikes for the Moto Guzzi V85 TT, +1.8 for the Triumph Sprint. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Moto Guzzi V85 TT fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 1.1% of Moto Guzzi V85 TT MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (0.6%).

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 Moto Guzzi V85 TT or the Triumph Sprint?

At 20k-30k miles the Moto Guzzi V85 TT passes first time more often: 90.8% for the Moto Guzzi V85 TT vs 85.0% for the Triumph Sprint.

MOTO GUZZI V85 TT 94.7% pass · 1,290 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.