BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ Triumph Sprint ST/vs Suzuki GSF1200
Head-to-head · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

Triumph Sprint ST vs Suzuki GSF1200

The Triumph Sprint ST passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki GSF1200: 83.8% vs 82.4%, a 1.4-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
Metric Triumph Sprint ST Suzuki GSF1200
First-time pass rate 83.8% 82.4%
Outright fail rate 9.8% 8.9%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) +0.6 pts -1.2 pts
Engine size 955cc 1,157cc
Rank among all models #2791 of 5428 #3108 of 5428
Median miles at test 22,252 20,274
MOT tests analysed 1,665 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 Suzuki GSF1200
Lights & signalling 3.1% 4.5%
Brakes 4.0% 2.8%
Steering & suspension 3.0% 2.2%
Tyres & wheels 2.7% 2.0%
Structure & body 0.5% 0.8%
Fuel & exhaust 0.1% 0.8%
Drive system 0.2% 0.6%

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 Suzuki GSF1200
2018 82.7% 83.2%
2019 86.5% 82.9%
2020 80.0% 83.4%
2021 83.3% 82.9%
2022 76.8% 83.6%
2023 76.3% 83.8%
2024 92.1% 83.4%
2025 86.7% 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 Suzuki GSF1200
0k-10k miles 88.3% 87.7%
10k-20k miles 89.8% 83.8%
20k-30k miles 82.2% 81.1%
30k-40k miles 82.8% 78.5%
40k-50k miles 74.5% 78.4%
50k-60k miles 71.1% 78.8%

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

Triumph Sprint ST vs Suzuki GSF1200 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

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

The Triumph Sprint ST passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki GSF1200: 83.8% vs 82.4%, a 1.4-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Triumph Sprint ST still comes out ahead: +0.6 points vs comparable bikes for the Triumph Sprint ST, -1.2 for the Suzuki GSF1200. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

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

Brakes: 4.0% of Triumph Sprint ST MOT tests failed on it, then lights & signalling (3.1%).

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 or the Suzuki GSF1200?

At 50k-60k miles the Suzuki GSF1200 passes first time more often: 71.1% for the Triumph Sprint ST vs 78.8% for the Suzuki GSF1200.

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