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

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

Triumph Sprint vs Suzuki GSF1200

The Triumph Sprint passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki GSF1200: 85.6% vs 82.4%, a 3.2-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
Metric Triumph Sprint Suzuki GSF1200
First-time pass rate 85.6% 82.4%
Outright fail rate 8.8% 8.9%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) +1.8 pts -1.2 pts
Engine size 955cc 1,157cc
Rank among all models #2333 of 5428 #3108 of 5428
Median miles at test 20,615 20,274
MOT tests analysed 132,827 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 Suzuki GSF1200
Lights & signalling 2.8% 4.5%
Brakes 3.7% 2.8%
Steering & suspension 2.5% 2.2%
Tyres & wheels 2.2% 2.0%
Structure & body 0.6% 0.8%
Drive system 0.4% 0.6%
Fuel & exhaust 0.2% 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 Suzuki GSF1200
2018 86.2% 83.2%
2019 86.1% 82.9%
2020 86.4% 83.4%
2021 86.7% 82.9%
2022 85.9% 83.6%
2023 86.4% 83.8%
2024 86.8% 83.4%
2025 86.8% 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 Suzuki GSF1200
0k-10k miles 90.9% 87.7%
10k-20k miles 87.5% 83.8%
20k-30k miles 85.0% 81.1%
30k-40k miles 82.1% 78.5%
40k-50k miles 80.3% 78.4%
50k-60k miles 79.3% 78.8%

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

Triumph Sprint vs Suzuki GSF1200 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

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

The Triumph Sprint passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki GSF1200: 85.6% vs 82.4%, a 3.2-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Triumph Sprint still comes out ahead: +1.8 points vs comparable bikes for the Triumph Sprint, -1.2 for the Suzuki GSF1200. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

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%).

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 or the Suzuki GSF1200?

They are level: at 50k-60k miles the Triumph Sprint 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.