BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
Head-to-head · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

Triumph Speed Triple vs Honda CB1300

The Honda CB1300 passes its MOT first time more often than the Triumph Speed Triple: 89.3% vs 85.6%, a 3.7-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
Metric Triumph Speed Triple Honda CB1300
First-time pass rate 85.6% 89.3%
Outright fail rate 7.3% 5.0%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) -0.2 pts +4.5 pts
Engine size 1,050cc 1,284cc
Rank among all models #2333 of 5428 #1180 of 5428
Median miles at test 12,419 15,887
MOT tests analysed 74,618 25,878
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 Triumph Speed Triple Honda CB1300
Lights & signalling 3.2% 1.6%
Brakes 2.3% 1.4%
Steering & suspension 1.6% 1.5%
Tyres & wheels 1.6% 1.5%
Structure & body 0.7% 0.2%
Fuel & exhaust 0.3% 0.2%
Drive system 0.2% 0.1%

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 Triumph Speed Triple Honda CB1300
2018 85.9% 89.7%
2019 85.7% 89.7%
2020 88.2% 89.5%
2021 86.6% 88.7%
2022 87.2% 89.5%
2023 87.3% 89.2%
2024 87.3% 90.4%
2025 87.7% 90.4%

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 Triumph Speed Triple Honda CB1300
0k-10k miles 88.2% 91.9%
10k-20k miles 85.5% 90.2%
20k-30k miles 82.8% 87.8%
30k-40k miles 80.4% 84.9%
40k-50k miles 80.3% 84.8%
50k-60k miles 79.6% 82.9%

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

Triumph Speed Triple vs Honda CB1300 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Triumph Speed Triple or the Honda CB1300?

The Honda CB1300 passes its MOT first time more often than the Triumph Speed Triple: 89.3% vs 85.6%, a 3.7-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda CB1300 still comes out ahead: -0.2 points vs comparable bikes for the Triumph Speed Triple, +4.5 for the Honda CB1300. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Triumph Speed Triple fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 3.2% of Triumph Speed Triple MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (2.3%).

What does the Honda CB1300 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 1.6% of Honda CB1300 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (1.5%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Triumph Speed Triple or the Honda CB1300?

At 50k-60k miles the Honda CB1300 passes first time more often: 79.6% for the Triumph Speed Triple vs 82.9% for the Honda CB1300.

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