Triumph Sprint ST 1050 vs BMW R1150

The Triumph Sprint ST 1050 passes its MOT first time more often than the BMW R1150: 88.8% vs 88.5%, a 0.3-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Triumph Sprint ST 1050	BMW R1150
First-time pass rate	88.8%	88.5%
Outright fail rate	5.9%	6.8%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+3.9 pts	+6.7 pts
Engine size	1,050cc	1,130cc
Rank among all models	#1332 of 5428	#1449 of 5428
Median miles at test	15,904	33,151
MOT tests analysed	4,068	170,963
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 Sprint ST 1050	BMW R1150
Brakes	2.4%	2.9%
Lights & signalling	1.7%	2.4%
Tyres & wheels	1.5%	1.7%
Steering & suspension	1.3%	1.4%
Structure & body	0.4%	0.2%
Drive system	0.2%	0.0%
Fuel & exhaust	0.0%	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 Sprint ST 1050	BMW R1150
2018	89.6%	88.1%
2019	86.8%	88.3%
2020	86.8%	88.0%
2021	88.9%	87.9%
2022	93.2%	88.6%
2023	87.7%	89.1%
2024	93.2%	88.1%
2025	89.0%	89.1%

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 Sprint ST 1050	BMW R1150
0k-10k miles	92.4%	92.9%
10k-20k miles	89.3%	92.1%
20k-30k miles	86.0%	90.1%
30k-40k miles	87.0%	88.6%
40k-50k miles	83.6%	86.9%
50k-60k miles	79.3%	85.7%

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

Triumph Sprint ST 1050 vs BMW R1150 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Triumph Sprint ST 1050 or the BMW R1150?

The Triumph Sprint ST 1050 passes its MOT first time more often than the BMW R1150: 88.8% vs 88.5%, a 0.3-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the BMW R1150 still comes out ahead: +3.9 points vs comparable bikes for the Triumph Sprint ST 1050, +6.7 for the BMW R1150. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Triumph Sprint ST 1050 fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 2.4% of Triumph Sprint ST 1050 MOT tests failed on it, then lights & signalling (1.7%).

What does the BMW R1150 fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 2.9% of BMW R1150 MOT tests failed on it, then lights & signalling (2.4%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Triumph Sprint ST 1050 or the BMW R1150?

At 50k-60k miles the BMW R1150 passes first time more often: 79.3% for the Triumph Sprint ST 1050 vs 85.7% for the BMW R1150.

TRIUMPH SPRINT ST 1050 88.8% pass · 4,068 tests BMW R1150 88.5% pass · 171k tests

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