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

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

Triumph Sprint ST 1050 vs Suzuki GSF1200

The Triumph Sprint ST 1050 passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki GSF1200: 88.8% vs 82.4%, a 6.4-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
Metric Triumph Sprint ST 1050 Suzuki GSF1200
First-time pass rate 88.8% 82.4%
Outright fail rate 5.9% 8.9%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) +3.9 pts -1.2 pts
Engine size 1,050cc 1,157cc
Rank among all models #1332 of 5428 #3108 of 5428
Median miles at test 15,904 20,274
MOT tests analysed 4,068 97,637
Most common failure brakes lighting and signalling

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 Suzuki GSF1200
Lights & signalling 1.7% 4.5%
Brakes 2.4% 2.8%
Steering & suspension 1.3% 2.2%
Tyres & wheels 1.5% 2.0%
Structure & body 0.4% 0.8%
Drive system 0.2% 0.6%
Fuel & exhaust 0.0% 0.8%

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 Suzuki GSF1200
2018 89.6% 83.2%
2019 86.8% 82.9%
2020 86.8% 83.4%
2021 88.9% 82.9%
2022 93.2% 83.6%
2023 87.7% 83.8%
2024 93.2% 83.4%
2025 89.0% 84.1%

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 Suzuki GSF1200
0k-10k miles 92.4% 87.7%
10k-20k miles 89.3% 83.8%
20k-30k miles 86.0% 81.1%
30k-40k miles 87.0% 78.5%
40k-50k miles 83.6% 78.4%
50k-60k miles 79.3% 78.8%

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

Triumph Sprint ST 1050 vs Suzuki GSF1200 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Triumph Sprint ST 1050 or the Suzuki GSF1200?

The Triumph Sprint ST 1050 passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki GSF1200: 88.8% vs 82.4%, a 6.4-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Triumph Sprint ST 1050 still comes out ahead: +3.9 points vs comparable bikes for the Triumph Sprint ST 1050, -1.2 for the Suzuki GSF1200. 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 Suzuki GSF1200 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 4.5% of Suzuki GSF1200 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (2.8%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Triumph Sprint ST 1050 or the Suzuki GSF1200?

They are level: at 50k-60k miles the Triumph Sprint ST 1050 passes 79.3% first time and the Suzuki GSF1200 78.8%.

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