Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
Triumph Trident vs Kawasaki Z1000
The Triumph Trident passes its MOT first time more often than the Kawasaki Z1000: 85.0% vs 84.5%, a 0.5-point lead.
MOT reliability, side by side
| Metric | Triumph Trident | Kawasaki Z1000 |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 85.0% | 84.5% |
| Outright fail rate | 8.8% | 7.5% |
| Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) | +1.0 pts | -0.5 pts |
| Engine size | 885cc | 953cc |
| Rank among all models | #2491 of 5428 | #2613 of 5428 |
| Median miles at test | 23,417 | 17,154 |
| MOT tests analysed | 23,936 | 22,743 |
| 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
| Component | Triumph Trident | Kawasaki Z1000 |
|---|---|---|
| Lights & signalling | 3.3% | 4.0% |
| Brakes | 3.9% | 2.2% |
| Steering & suspension | 2.9% | 1.9% |
| Tyres & wheels | 1.8% | 1.6% |
| Structure & body | 0.8% | 0.6% |
| Drive system | 0.5% | 0.3% |
| Fuel & exhaust | 0.3% | 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 Trident | Kawasaki Z1000 |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 85.4% | 87.6% |
| 2019 | 86.5% | 85.7% |
| 2020 | 87.3% | 86.9% |
| 2021 | 85.4% | 85.5% |
| 2022 | 83.9% | 88.1% |
| 2023 | 88.7% | 86.5% |
| 2024 | 90.5% | 85.1% |
| 2025 | 90.2% | 85.9% |
Each year mixes bikes of different ages, so a fleet that is getting older tends to slip.
Pass rate by mileage
| Mileage | Triumph Trident | Kawasaki Z1000 |
|---|---|---|
| 0k-10k miles | 89.7% | 87.2% |
| 10k-20k miles | 86.6% | 85.7% |
| 20k-30k miles | 83.6% | 82.5% |
| 30k-40k miles | 82.4% | 82.0% |
| 40k-50k miles | 82.6% | 79.3% |
| 50k-60k miles | 80.6% | 83.7% |
Bands with fewer than 30 tests for either bike are left out.
Triumph Trident vs Kawasaki Z1000 FAQ
Which is more reliable, the Triumph Trident or the Kawasaki Z1000?
The Triumph Trident passes its MOT first time more often than the Kawasaki Z1000: 85.0% vs 84.5%, a 0.5-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Triumph Trident still comes out ahead: +1.0 points vs comparable bikes for the Triumph Trident, -0.5 for the Kawasaki Z1000. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.
What does the Triumph Trident fail its MOT on most?
Brakes: 3.9% of Triumph Trident MOT tests failed on it, then lights & signalling (3.3%).
What does the Kawasaki Z1000 fail its MOT on most?
Lights & signalling: 4.0% of Kawasaki Z1000 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (2.2%).
Which holds up better at high mileage, the Triumph Trident or the Kawasaki Z1000?
At 50k-60k miles the Kawasaki Z1000 passes first time more often: 80.6% for the Triumph Trident vs 83.7% for the Kawasaki Z1000.
See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.