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

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

Triumph T509 Speed Triple vs Aprilia Tuono

The Aprilia Tuono passes its MOT first time more often than the Triumph T509 Speed Triple: 88.4% vs 81.2%, a 7.2-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
Metric Triumph T509 Speed Triple Aprilia Tuono
First-time pass rate 81.2% 88.4%
Outright fail rate 11.6% 5.5%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) -1.8 pts +2.3 pts
Engine size 885cc 998cc
Rank among all models #3336 of 5428 #1478 of 5428
Median miles at test 21,923 11,489
MOT tests analysed 1,913 34,724
Most common failure lighting and signalling 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 T509 Speed Triple Aprilia Tuono
Lights & signalling 5.2% 2.5%
Brakes 3.7% 1.5%
Steering & suspension 3.3% 1.2%
Tyres & wheels 2.6% 1.1%
Fuel & exhaust 1.5% 0.2%
Structure & body 0.7% 0.6%
Drive system 0.8% 0.3%

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 T509 Speed Triple Aprilia Tuono
2018 76.3% 88.7%
2019 84.1% 89.4%
2020 86.3% 90.5%
2021 93.3% 90.2%
2022 88.5% 89.9%
2023 87.7% 90.4%
2024 81.0% 91.3%
2025 87.0% 90.3%

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 T509 Speed Triple Aprilia Tuono
0k-10k miles 84.2% 90.7%
10k-20k miles 83.7% 87.2%
20k-30k miles 82.1% 86.2%
30k-40k miles 75.8% 84.6%
40k-50k miles 78.8% 82.1%
50k-60k miles 72.7% 85.7%

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

Triumph T509 Speed Triple vs Aprilia Tuono FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Triumph T509 Speed Triple or the Aprilia Tuono?

The Aprilia Tuono passes its MOT first time more often than the Triumph T509 Speed Triple: 88.4% vs 81.2%, a 7.2-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Aprilia Tuono still comes out ahead: -1.8 points vs comparable bikes for the Triumph T509 Speed Triple, +2.3 for the Aprilia Tuono. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Triumph T509 Speed Triple fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 5.2% of Triumph T509 Speed Triple MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (3.7%).

What does the Aprilia Tuono fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 2.5% of Aprilia Tuono MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (1.5%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Triumph T509 Speed Triple or the Aprilia Tuono?

At 50k-60k miles the Aprilia Tuono passes first time more often: 72.7% for the Triumph T509 Speed Triple vs 85.7% for the Aprilia Tuono.

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