Triumph 1500 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Triumph 1500 car check
Is the Triumph 1500 reliable? We analysed 735 real MOT tests across 121 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Triumph 1500? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Triumph 1500 is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid, subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded and parking brake: efficiency below requirements. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Triumph 1500.
Triumph 1500 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Triumph 1500. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Triumph 1500 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Triumph 1500 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Triumph 1500 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Triumph 1500 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Triumph 1500 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Triumph 1500 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Triumph 1500 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Triumph 1500 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | 151 | 70.9% | 26,436 | 43,048 | 60,682 |
| 1972 | 415 | 72.5% | 42,029 | 57,138 | 76,582 |
| 1971 | 126 | 80.2% | 41,700 | 58,771 | 69,857 |
How Long Does a Triumph 1500 Last?
Based on 121 Triumph 1500 vehicles on UK roads.
Triumph 1500 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Triumph 1500 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 Triumph 1500
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
80.2% MOT pass rate from 126 tests
70.9% MOT pass rate from 151 tests
The best year to buy a used Triumph 1500 is 1971, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 80.2% across 126 tests. The 1973 model year has the lowest pass rate at 70.9% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Triumph 1500 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Triumph 1500 THIS CAR | 73.3% | 735 | 55,374 mi | 55 yrs |
| Triumph Bonneville | 90.1% | 235,206 | 7,823 mi | 53 yrs |
| Triumph Tiger | 90.6% | 196,853 | 17,026 mi | 32 yrs |
| Triumph Sprint | 87.3% | 158,613 | 21,242 mi | 33 yrs |
| Toyota Hiace 280 D-4D 95 SWB | 79% | 619 | 131,255 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Triumph Bonneville (90.1% pass rate) and the Triumph Tiger (90.6% pass rate), the Triumph 1500 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Triumph 1500 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 Triumph 1500Should you buy a used Triumph 1500?
The Triumph 1500 has an overall MOT pass rate of 73.3% across 735 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Triumph 1500 are windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (35 recorded failures), subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (33), and parking brake: efficiency below requirements (33). 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 Triumph 1500 owner drives around 387 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 Triumph 1500 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.