Triumph 500 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Triumph 500 car check
Is the Triumph 500 reliable? We analysed 528 real MOT tests across 123 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Triumph 500? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Triumph 500 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam, wheel bearings have excessive free play and steering lock stop loose. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Triumph 500.
Triumph 500 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Triumph 500. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Triumph 500 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Triumph 500 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Triumph 500 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Triumph 500 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
How Long Does a Triumph 500 Last?
Based on 123 Triumph 500 vehicles on UK roads.
Triumph 500 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Triumph 500 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
How Does the Triumph 500 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Triumph 500 THIS CAR | 91.7% | 528 | 5,860 mi | — 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 |
| Kawasaki Bx 125 Akf | 77.7% | 391 | 7,982 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Triumph Bonneville (90.1% pass rate) and the Triumph Tiger (90.6% pass rate), the Triumph 500 outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Triumph 500 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 500Should you buy a used Triumph 500?
The Triumph 500 has an overall MOT pass rate of 91.7% across 528 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 500 are headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam (3 recorded failures), wheel bearings have excessive free play (2), and steering lock stop loose (2). 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 500 owner drives around 104 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.
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.