Triumph 3TA Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Triumph 3TA car check
Is the Triumph 3TA reliable? We analysed 3,368 real MOT tests across 650 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Triumph 3TA? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Triumph 3TA is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, steering headbearing has excessive free play and shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Triumph 3TA.
Triumph 3TA Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Triumph 3TA. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Triumph 3TA MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Triumph 3TA to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Triumph 3TA Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Triumph 3TA fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Triumph 3TA Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Triumph 3TA owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Triumph 3TA MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Triumph 3TA year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 50 | 86.0% | 1,034 | 14,564 | 23,161 |
| 1984 | 75 | 94.7% | 3,798 | 7,866 | 20,238 |
| 1967 | 102 | 93.1% | 3,162 | 10,042 | 14,114 |
| 1966 | 307 | 93.5% | 4,908 | 12,614 | 36,711 |
| 1965 | 171 | 93.0% | 2,145 | 13,755 | 35,170 |
| 1964 | 215 | 94.4% | 8,317 | 18,693 | 40,107 |
| 1963 | 289 | 90.3% | 4,278 | 23,834 | 45,776 |
| 1962 | 309 | 92.6% | 3,141 | 10,489 | 39,610 |
| 1961 | 367 | 93.5% | 2,369 | 16,365 | 39,682 |
| 1960 | 290 | 93.8% | 828 | 4,018 | 39,019 |
| 1959 | 171 | 92.4% | 2,321 | 15,835 | 35,190 |
| 1958 | 156 | 87.2% | 2,850 | 11,593 | 37,413 |
| 1957 | 52 | 98.1% | 15,719 | 18,926 | 21,703 |
How Long Does a Triumph 3TA Last?
Based on 650 Triumph 3TA vehicles on UK roads.
Triumph 3TA Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Triumph 3TA 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 3TA
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
98.1% MOT pass rate from 52 tests
86.0% MOT pass rate from 50 tests
The best year to buy a used Triumph 3TA is 1957, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 98.1% across 52 tests. The 1990 model year has the lowest pass rate at 86.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Triumph 3TA Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Triumph 3TA THIS CAR | 92.0% | 3,368 | 12,003 mi | 69 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 |
| Suzuki Gsr 750 AL2 | 88.3% | 1,119 | 11,340 mi | 14 yrs |
Compared to the Triumph Bonneville (90.1% pass rate) and the Triumph Tiger (90.6% pass rate), the Triumph 3TA outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Triumph 3TA 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 3TAShould you buy a used Triumph 3TA?
The Triumph 3TA has an overall MOT pass rate of 92.0% across 3,368 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 Triumph 3TA are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (13 recorded failures), steering headbearing has excessive free play (12), and shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (10). 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 3TA owner drives around 106 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 3TA models stay on UK roads for around 69 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.