Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
Triumph Street Triple R vs Honda CB500
The Triumph Street Triple R passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda CB500: 87.7% vs 83.3%, a 4.4-point lead.
MOT reliability, side by side
| Metric | Triumph Street Triple R | Honda CB500 |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 87.7% | 83.3% |
| Outright fail rate | 6.0% | 10.1% |
| Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) | +1.1 pts | -0.8 pts |
| Engine size | 675cc | 499cc |
| Rank among all models | #1695 of 5428 | #2895 of 5428 |
| Median miles at test | 10,588 | 20,653 |
| MOT tests analysed | 20,614 | 104,748 |
| Most common failure | lamps and reflectors | 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
| Component | Triumph Street Triple R | Honda CB500 |
|---|---|---|
| Lights & signalling | 2.7% | 3.4% |
| Brakes | 1.6% | 4.2% |
| Steering & suspension | 1.0% | 4.2% |
| Tyres & wheels | 1.2% | 2.3% |
| Structure & body | 0.8% | 1.1% |
| Drive system | 0.1% | 1.0% |
| Fuel & exhaust | 0.1% | 0.4% |
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
| Test year | Triumph Street Triple R | Honda CB500 |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 87.9% | 84.0% |
| 2019 | 87.9% | 85.7% |
| 2020 | 87.5% | 89.1% |
| 2021 | 87.8% | 89.0% |
| 2022 | 85.9% | 89.1% |
| 2023 | 87.0% | 89.5% |
| 2024 | 88.0% | 90.1% |
| 2025 | 89.8% | 90.3% |
Each year mixes bikes of different ages, so a fleet that is getting older tends to slip.
Pass rate by mileage
| Mileage | Triumph Street Triple R | Honda CB500 |
|---|---|---|
| 0k-10k miles | 91.0% | 92.5% |
| 10k-20k miles | 86.5% | 86.3% |
| 20k-30k miles | 82.0% | 80.5% |
| 30k-40k miles | 78.2% | 77.6% |
| 40k-50k miles | 77.9% | 74.9% |
| 50k-60k miles | 85.1% | 74.6% |
Bands with fewer than 30 tests for either bike are left out.
Triumph Street Triple R vs Honda CB500 FAQ
Which is more reliable, the Triumph Street Triple R or the Honda CB500?
The Triumph Street Triple R passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda CB500: 87.7% vs 83.3%, a 4.4-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Triumph Street Triple R still comes out ahead: +1.1 points vs comparable bikes for the Triumph Street Triple R, -0.8 for the Honda CB500. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.
What does the Triumph Street Triple R fail its MOT on most?
Lights & signalling: 2.7% of Triumph Street Triple R MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (1.6%).
What does the Honda CB500 fail its MOT on most?
Brakes: 4.2% of Honda CB500 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (4.2%).
Which holds up better at high mileage, the Triumph Street Triple R or the Honda CB500?
At 50k-60k miles the Triumph Street Triple R passes first time more often: 85.1% for the Triumph Street Triple R vs 74.6% for the Honda CB500.
See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.