BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ Suzuki GSX1300R-Z/vs Triumph Sprint
Head-to-head · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

Suzuki GSX1300R-Z vs Triumph Sprint

The Suzuki GSX1300R-Z passes its MOT first time more often than the Triumph Sprint: 86.0% vs 85.6%, a 0.4-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
Metric Suzuki GSX1300R-Z Triumph Sprint
First-time pass rate 86.0% 85.6%
Outright fail rate 7.9% 8.8%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) +1.4 pts +1.8 pts
Engine size 1,299cc 955cc
Rank among all models #2197 of 5428 #2333 of 5428
Median miles at test 16,720 20,615
MOT tests analysed 6,219 132,827
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 Suzuki GSX1300R-Z Triumph Sprint
Lights & signalling 3.2% 2.8%
Brakes 2.1% 3.7%
Steering & suspension 2.6% 2.5%
Tyres & wheels 2.0% 2.2%
Structure & body 0.4% 0.6%
Drive system 0.4% 0.4%
Fuel & exhaust 0.4% 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 GSX1300R-Z Triumph Sprint
2018 90.8% 86.2%
2019 84.3% 86.1%
2020 86.6% 86.4%
2021 87.0% 86.7%
2022 85.5% 85.9%
2023 84.6% 86.4%
2024 89.9% 86.8%
2025 91.0% 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 GSX1300R-Z Triumph Sprint
0k-10k miles 90.8% 90.9%
10k-20k miles 86.5% 87.5%
20k-30k miles 83.0% 85.0%
30k-40k miles 81.3% 82.1%
40k-50k miles 83.5% 80.3%
50k-60k miles 84.2% 79.3%

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

Suzuki GSX1300R-Z vs Triumph Sprint FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Suzuki GSX1300R-Z or the Triumph Sprint?

The Suzuki GSX1300R-Z passes its MOT first time more often than the Triumph Sprint: 86.0% vs 85.6%, a 0.4-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class the two are level (+1.4 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 GSX1300R-Z fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 3.2% of Suzuki GSX1300R-Z MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (2.6%).

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 Suzuki GSX1300R-Z or the Triumph Sprint?

At 50k-60k miles the Suzuki GSX1300R-Z passes first time more often: 84.2% for the Suzuki GSX1300R-Z vs 79.3% for the Triumph Sprint.

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