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Generic Trigger Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

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Is the Generic Trigger reliable? We analysed 482 real MOT tests across 119 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 482 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
64.5%
Typical Mileage
9,405mi
Annual Mileage
948mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
16yrs

The Generic Trigger is below average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick, stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies and suspension bush has excessive free play. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Generic Trigger.

Generic Trigger Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Generic Trigger. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Generic Trigger MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Generic Trigger to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

65.8%
2014
65.7%
2013
72%
2012
61.7%
2011
69.8%
2010

Generic Trigger Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Generic Trigger fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 14
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 13
suspension bush has excessive free play 12
Headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam 11
Headlamp aim too high 11
shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 10
Drive chain excessively loose 10

Generic Trigger Common Faults & Problems

These are the most common serious faults found on Generic Trigger models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.

Brake pad(s) less than 1.0 mm thick 17

Generic Trigger Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Generic Trigger owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
271 mi/yr
Typical
948 mi/yr
Average
4,208 mi/yr
Heavy usage
2,096 mi/yr

Generic Trigger MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Generic Trigger year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2014 73 65.8% 4,309 10,490 14,211
2013 70 65.7% 5,464 8,658 13,393
2012 50 72.0% 2,797 4,636 8,944
2011 115 61.7% 6,419 10,139 13,495
2010 63 69.8% 3,244 5,569 11,141

How Long Does a Generic Trigger Last?

Based on 119 Generic Trigger vehicles on UK roads.

Average
7.6 years
Median
8.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
16 years

Generic Trigger Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Generic Trigger MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
9,405 mi
75th Percentile
12,948 mi
95th Percentile
23,096 mi
Max Recorded
102,482 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Generic Trigger

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
2012

72.0% MOT pass rate from 50 tests

Year to avoid
2011

61.7% MOT pass rate from 115 tests

The best year to buy a used Generic Trigger is 2012, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 72.0% across 50 tests. The 2011 model year has the lowest pass rate at 61.7% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Generic Trigger Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Generic Trigger THIS CAR 64.5% 482 9,405 mi 16 yrs
Generic Code 72.4% 1,889 9,748 mi 12 yrs
Generic Cracker 74.1% 1,572 8,008 mi 21 yrs
Generic Xor 73.5% 1,424 8,601 mi 19 yrs
BMW X3 XDRIVE20D SE 83% 875 90,791 mi — yrs

Compared to the Generic Code (72.4% pass rate) and the Generic Cracker (74.1% pass rate), the Generic Trigger trails behind on MOT reliability.

Found a Generic Trigger you like?

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Should you buy a used Generic Trigger?

The Generic Trigger has an overall MOT pass rate of 64.5% across 482 real MOT tests — below the UK average, so reliability should be a key concern.

The most common problems on the Generic Trigger are brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (14 recorded failures), stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (13), and suspension bush has excessive free play (12). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.

On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is brake pad(s) less than 1.0 mm thick. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Generic Trigger with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.

A typical Generic Trigger owner drives around 948 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.

In terms of longevity, most Generic Trigger models stay on UK roads for around 16 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.

Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.

Generic Trigger — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Generic Trigger reliable?
Based on 482 MOT tests, the Generic Trigger has a 64.5% pass rate — below average, so factor in potential repair costs.
What are the common problems on a Generic Trigger?
The most common MOT failures are brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick, stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, and suspension bush has excessive free play. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Generic Trigger do per year?
The typical Generic Trigger does around 948 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Generic Trigger last?
Most Generic Trigger models stay on UK roads for around 16 years based on our analysis of 119 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Generic Trigger?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Generic Trigger?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Generic Trigger is 2012 with a 72.0% pass rate across 50 tests.