Norton Commando 850 vs Triumph Sprint

The Norton Commando 850 passes its MOT first time more often than the Triumph Sprint: 91.5% vs 85.6%, a 5.9-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Norton Commando 850	Triumph Sprint
First-time pass rate	91.5%	85.6%
Outright fail rate	3.4%	8.8%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+7.1 pts	+1.8 pts
Engine size	828cc	955cc
Rank among all models	#567 of 5428	#2333 of 5428
Median miles at test	18,312	20,615
MOT tests analysed	816	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	Norton Commando 850	Triumph Sprint
Brakes	1.5%	3.7%
Lights & signalling	1.6%	2.8%
Tyres & wheels	1.1%	2.2%
Steering & suspension	0.6%	2.5%
Drive system	0.4%	0.4%
Fuel & exhaust	0.5%	0.2%
Structure & body	0.1%	0.6%

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	Norton Commando 850	Triumph Sprint
2011	95.2%	84.3%
2012	92.5%	84.5%
2013	93.3%	85.4%
2014	88.9%	85.3%
2015	87.7%	85.6%
2016	90.6%	85.6%
2017	94.4%	85.5%
2018	90.9%	86.2%

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	Norton Commando 850	Triumph Sprint
0k-10k miles	90.7%	90.9%
10k-20k miles	88.3%	87.5%
20k-30k miles	94.1%	85.0%
30k-40k miles	95.2%	82.1%

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

Norton Commando 850 vs Triumph Sprint FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Norton Commando 850 or the Triumph Sprint?

The Norton Commando 850 passes its MOT first time more often than the Triumph Sprint: 91.5% vs 85.6%, a 5.9-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Norton Commando 850 still comes out ahead: +7.1 points vs comparable bikes for the Norton Commando 850, +1.8 for the Triumph Sprint. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Norton Commando 850 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 1.6% of Norton Commando 850 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 Norton Commando 850 or the Triumph Sprint?

At 30k-40k miles the Norton Commando 850 passes first time more often: 95.2% for the Norton Commando 850 vs 82.1% for the Triumph Sprint.

NORTON COMMANDO 850 91.5% pass · 816 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.