BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ Suzuki GSF 1250 Sa K7/vs Triumph Sprint
Head-to-head · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

Suzuki GSF 1250 Sa K7 vs Triumph Sprint

The Suzuki GSF 1250 Sa K7 passes its MOT first time more often than the Triumph Sprint: 86.2% vs 85.6%, a 0.6-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
Metric Suzuki GSF 1250 Sa K7 Triumph Sprint
First-time pass rate 86.2% 85.6%
Outright fail rate 7.4% 8.8%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) +1.6 pts +1.8 pts
Engine size 1,255cc 955cc
Rank among all models #2148 of 5428 #2333 of 5428
Median miles at test 17,250 20,615
MOT tests analysed 6,074 132,827
Most common failure brakes 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 GSF 1250 Sa K7 Triumph Sprint
Brakes 2.1% 3.7%
Lights & signalling 3.0% 2.8%
Steering & suspension 2.1% 2.5%
Tyres & wheels 2.3% 2.2%
Structure & body 0.5% 0.6%
Drive system 0.3% 0.4%
Fuel & exhaust 0.2% 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 GSF 1250 Sa K7 Triumph Sprint
2018 84.9% 86.2%
2019 84.7% 86.1%
2020 84.7% 86.4%
2021 83.8% 86.7%
2022 86.3% 85.9%
2023 84.9% 86.4%
2024 84.5% 86.8%
2025 87.8% 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 Suzuki GSF 1250 Sa K7 Triumph Sprint
0k-10k miles 90.1% 90.9%
10k-20k miles 88.6% 87.5%
20k-30k miles 84.2% 85.0%
30k-40k miles 82.8% 82.1%
40k-50k miles 77.8% 80.3%
50k-60k miles 75.7% 79.3%

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

Suzuki GSF 1250 Sa K7 vs Triumph Sprint FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Suzuki GSF 1250 Sa K7 or the Triumph Sprint?

The Suzuki GSF 1250 Sa K7 passes its MOT first time more often than the Triumph Sprint: 86.2% vs 85.6%, a 0.6-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class the two are level (+1.6 vs +1.8 points against comparable bikes), so the raw gap is mostly down to how old and how used each fleet is. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Suzuki GSF 1250 Sa K7 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 3.0% of Suzuki GSF 1250 Sa K7 MOT tests failed on it, then tyres & wheels (2.3%).

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 GSF 1250 Sa K7 or the Triumph Sprint?

At 50k-60k miles the Triumph Sprint passes first time more often: 75.7% for the Suzuki GSF 1250 Sa K7 vs 79.3% for the Triumph Sprint.

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