Reliant Trike Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Reliant Trike car check
Is the Reliant Trike reliable? We analysed 1,623 real MOT tests across 183 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Reliant Trike? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Reliant Trike is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include stop lamp not working, reflector missing and parking brake: efficiency below requirements. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Reliant Trike.
Reliant Trike Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Reliant Trike. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Reliant Trike MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Reliant Trike to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Reliant Trike Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Reliant Trike fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Reliant Trike Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Reliant Trike owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Reliant Trike MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Reliant Trike year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 63 | 88.9% | 7,886 | 33,176 | 45,053 |
| 1997 | 52 | 78.8% | 1,760 | 3,464 | 6,746 |
| 1992 | 56 | 75.0% | 3,882 | 7,082 | 37,933 |
| 1987 | 63 | 77.8% | 502 | 4,199 | 18,839 |
| 1986 | 67 | 77.6% | 3,034 | 7,495 | 16,132 |
| 1985 | 176 | 77.3% | 3,375 | 14,246 | 40,334 |
| 1984 | 82 | 78.0% | 3,399 | 11,076 | 25,481 |
| 1982 | 119 | 82.4% | 1,257 | 3,594 | 14,498 |
| 1979 | 59 | 79.7% | 864 | 4,834 | 9,890 |
| 1978 | 52 | 76.9% | 888 | 31,426 | 36,979 |
| 1975 | 97 | 74.2% | 8,195 | 29,500 | 36,985 |
| 1971 | 112 | 83.0% | 8,683 | 13,044 | 30,595 |
How Long Does a Reliant Trike Last?
Based on 183 Reliant Trike vehicles on UK roads.
Reliant Trike Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Reliant Trike MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Reliant Trike
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
88.9% MOT pass rate from 63 tests
74.2% MOT pass rate from 97 tests
The best year to buy a used Reliant Trike is 1998, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 88.9% across 63 tests. The 1975 model year has the lowest pass rate at 74.2% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Reliant Trike Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reliant Trike THIS CAR | 80.0% | 1,623 | 10,861 mi | 55 yrs |
| Reliant Robin | 71% | 50,844 | 43,760 mi | 50 yrs |
| Reliant Rialto | 72% | 33,460 | 52,257 mi | 44 yrs |
| Reliant Scimitar | 73.5% | 31,230 | 53,975 mi | 60 yrs |
| Suzuki Gs 500 K5 | 83.8% | 1,714 | 17,249 mi | 21 yrs |
Compared to the Reliant Robin (71.0% pass rate) and the Reliant Rialto (72.0% pass rate), the Reliant Trike outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Reliant Trike you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Reliant TrikeShould you buy a used Reliant Trike?
The Reliant Trike has an overall MOT pass rate of 80.0% across 1,623 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common problems on the Reliant Trike are stop lamp not working (50 recorded failures), reflector missing (21), and parking brake: efficiency below requirements (16). 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.
A typical Reliant Trike owner drives around 444 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 Reliant Trike models stay on UK roads for around 55 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.