Triumph S MOT pass rate & common failures

At a glance

Recorded pass rate

2.4 points above the fleet average of 86.5%. The examples tested do not cover a wide enough spread of ages and mileages to compare fairly against the rest of the fleet, so no rank is claimed; the failure record below stands on its own.

DVSA recorded wording

Most common failure items

Share of failed Triumph S tests in which each item was recorded. One failed test often lists several, so these do not sum to 100%.

1. 1.Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements18.8%

   33 occurrences

2. 2.Reflector missing or reflecting white to the rear11.9%

   21 occurrences

3. 3.Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning10.2%

   18 occurrences

4. 4.Steering head bearings excessively stiff, notchy, or with excessive wear or play9.7%

   17 occurrences

5. 5.Number plate does not conform to the specified requirements9.7%

   17 occurrences

6. 6.Brake lining or pad worn below 1.0mm8.5%

   15 occurrences

7. 7.Audible warning not working6.8%

   12 occurrences

8. 8.A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning5.7%

   10 occurrences

9. 9.A shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely5.1%

   9 occurrences

10. 10.Excessive fluctuation in brake effort through each wheel revolution5.1%

    9 occurrences

11. 11.Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake4.5%

    8 occurrences

12. 12.A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps4.5%

    8 occurrences

Warnings without a failure

Most common advisories

Share of all Triumph S tests carrying each advisory.

1. 1.Exhaust noise levels in excess of those permitted7.7%

   247 tests

2. 2.Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements6.5%

   209 tests

3. 3.Brake lining or pad worn below 1.0mm4.5%

   145 tests

4. 4.Steering head bearings excessively stiff, notchy, or with excessive wear or play3.2%

   102 tests

5. 5.A transmission belt, chain, sprocket or pulley excessively loose or worn2.5%

   80 tests

6. 6.Excessive fluctuation in brake effort through each wheel revolution2.5%

   79 tests

7. 7.Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements1.6%

   52 tests

8. 8.Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake1.1%

   35 tests

How wear changes the picture

S pass rate by age and registration year

What gets tested

The S fleet

Average mileage recorded at test

14,620

Test classes

class 2: 3,212 · class 1: 7

Compare within the range

Other Triumph motorcycles

• Triumph Tiger91.2%
• Triumph Bonneville90.0%
• Triumph Speed Triple87.7%
• Triumph Sprint86.8% raw
• Triumph Street91.4% raw
• Triumph Street Triple87.8%
• All Triumph motorcycles

Common questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a Triumph S?

88.9% unadjusted, from 3,219 DVSA tests. The average across all motorcycles is 86.5%.

What does a Triumph S fail its MOT on?

"Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements" is recorded in 18.8% of failed Triumph S tests, followed by "Reflector missing or reflecting white to the rear" (11.9%). One failed test often lists several items.

What mileage does a Triumph S usually have at its MOT?

14,620 miles on average across every age tested, so a description of the fleet rather than an annual figure. Motorcycle mileages are low and vary enormously with use; a commuter bike and a weekend bike of the same age can differ by a factor of ten.