Suzuki DL 1000 AL8 Abs vs Triumph Sprint

The Suzuki DL 1000 AL8 Abs passes its MOT first time more often than the Triumph Sprint: 93.6% vs 85.6%, a 8.0-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Suzuki DL 1000 AL8 Abs	Triumph Sprint
First-time pass rate	93.6%	85.6%
Outright fail rate	2.9%	8.8%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+6.3 pts	+1.8 pts
Engine size	1,037cc	955cc
Rank among all models	#224 of 5428	#2333 of 5428
Median miles at test	10,390	20,615
MOT tests analysed	3,036	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	Suzuki DL 1000 AL8 Abs	Triumph Sprint
Brakes	1.0%	3.7%
Lights & signalling	1.2%	2.8%
Steering & suspension	0.6%	2.5%
Tyres & wheels	0.8%	2.2%
Structure & body	0.3%	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	Suzuki DL 1000 AL8 Abs	Triumph Sprint
2020	96.0%	86.4%
2021	94.9%	86.7%
2022	92.8%	85.9%
2023	93.2%	86.4%
2024	91.8%	86.8%
2025	94.0%	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	Suzuki DL 1000 AL8 Abs	Triumph Sprint
0k-10k miles	96.8%	90.9%
10k-20k miles	92.5%	87.5%
20k-30k miles	87.2%	85.0%
30k-40k miles	76.8%	82.1%

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

Suzuki DL 1000 AL8 Abs vs Triumph Sprint FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Suzuki DL 1000 AL8 Abs or the Triumph Sprint?

The Suzuki DL 1000 AL8 Abs passes its MOT first time more often than the Triumph Sprint: 93.6% vs 85.6%, a 8.0-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Suzuki DL 1000 AL8 Abs still comes out ahead: +6.3 points vs comparable bikes for the Suzuki DL 1000 AL8 Abs, +1.8 for the Triumph Sprint. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Suzuki DL 1000 AL8 Abs fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 1.2% of Suzuki DL 1000 AL8 Abs MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (1.0%).

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 Suzuki DL 1000 AL8 Abs or the Triumph Sprint?

At 30k-40k miles the Triumph Sprint passes first time more often: 76.8% for the Suzuki DL 1000 AL8 Abs vs 82.1% for the Triumph Sprint.

SUZUKI DL 1000 AL8 ABS 93.6% pass · 3,036 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.