Triumph TIGER 850 SPORT MOT pass rate and common failures
Triumph TIGER 850 SPORT motorcycles pass the MOT 95.53% of the time, measured across 358 tests in the DVSA record. A further 1.96% passed only after a defect was put right at the test station.
What to check before the MOT
Built from this model's own failure record, not general advice.
- Start with less than 1.0 mm thick - it accounts for 55.6% of failed tests on this model.
- Then check too high and excessively stiff or notchy, the next two most common reasons.
- The most common advisory is indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort (3.4% of all tests) - not a failure, but money you will spend sooner or later.
- Average recorded mileage at test is 9,043 miles, which is the number to compare any advert against.
Pass rate by age
A single pass rate hides the most useful thing in this data: how the same model behaves at three years old and at fifteen.
| Age at test | Pass rate | Tests | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-5 years | 95.53% | 358 |
Why the Triumph TIGER 850 SPORT fails
Share of failed tests on this model where the item was recorded. One test can fail on several items, so the column does not add up to 100%.
| # | Item | Of failures | Tests | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Less than 1.0 mm thick | 55.6% | 5 | |
| 2 | Too high | 44.4% | 4 | |
| 3 | Excessively stiff or notchy | 33.3% | 3 | |
| 4 | Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm | 22.2% | 2 | |
| 5 | Excessively tight | 11.1% | 1 | |
| 6 | Fluid level below minimum level | 11.1% | 1 | |
| 7 | Has a serious fluid leak | 11.1% | 1 | |
| 8 | Has no recorded effort at a wheel | 11.1% | 1 | |
| 9 | Missing | 11.1% | 1 | |
| 10 | Worn to excess | 11.1% | 1 |
Most common advisories
Not a failure and not a legal requirement to fix - but an advisory that repeats year after year is money the next owner spends.
| # | Item | Of all tests | Tests | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort | 3.4% | 12 | |
| 2 | Less than 1.0 mm thick | 3.4% | 12 | |
| 3 | Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm | 3.1% | 11 | |
| 4 | Excessively loose | 2.8% | 10 | |
| 5 | Excessively stiff or notchy | 1.7% | 6 | |
| 6 | Worn to excess | 1.7% | 6 | |
| 7 | Has excessive play | 0.8% | 3 | |
| 8 | Has excessive wear or free play | 0.6% | 2 | |
| 9 | Nail in tyre | 0.6% | 2 | |
| 10 | Tread not clearly visible | 0.6% | 2 |
Triumph TIGER 850 SPORT for sale
No Triumph TIGER 850 SPORT in stock at the moment - 108 other Triumph bikes are advertised.
Similar bikes compared
Models of comparable capacity, so the comparison means something.
| Model | Tests | Pass rate | Avg mileage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Triumph TIGER · 969cc | 16,144 | 91.27% | 22,934 | |
| Triumph BONNEVILLE 642-904cc · 642-904cc | 12,456 | 90.8% | 12,824 | |
| BMW R SERIES · 1,152cc | 9,796 | 91.92% | 40,594 | |
| BMW S 1000 · 999cc | 8,445 | 91.96% | 15,282 | |
| Yamaha YZF R1 · 998cc | 6,022 | 88.01% | 23,152 | |
| Yamaha MT 800-1000cc · 800-1000cc | 5,720 | 90.98% | 16,130 |
Source: DVSA MOT testing data, 2025 · updated Aug 2026 · licence and method