Triumph Bonneville Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Triumph Bonneville car check
Is the Triumph Bonneville reliable? We analysed 235,206 real MOT tests across 29,562 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Triumph Bonneville? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Triumph Bonneville is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick and roller brake test indicates a binding brake. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Triumph Bonneville.
Triumph Bonneville Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Triumph Bonneville. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Triumph Bonneville MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Triumph Bonneville to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Triumph Bonneville Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Triumph Bonneville fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Triumph Bonneville Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Triumph Bonneville models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Triumph Bonneville Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Triumph Bonneville owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Triumph Bonneville MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Triumph Bonneville year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 865 | 92.9% | 2,270 | 3,960 | 7,090 |
| 2020 | 3,691 | 92.7% | 2,489 | 4,343 | 7,200 |
| 2019 | 7,815 | 92.6% | 2,636 | 4,709 | 7,909 |
| 2018 | 13,148 | 92.3% | 3,069 | 5,425 | 8,851 |
| 2017 | 17,752 | 92.1% | 3,261 | 5,754 | 9,524 |
| 2016 | 16,574 | 91.5% | 3,708 | 6,552 | 10,943 |
| 2015 | 11,937 | 90.4% | 3,176 | 5,778 | 9,776 |
| 2014 | 11,493 | 90.6% | 3,416 | 6,320 | 10,808 |
| 2013 | 8,413 | 90.9% | 3,663 | 6,783 | 11,549 |
| 2012 | 6,440 | 91.6% | 3,503 | 7,023 | 11,942 |
| 2011 | 6,822 | 90.0% | 4,421 | 7,996 | 13,262 |
| 2010 | 9,496 | 91.0% | 4,062 | 7,594 | 13,220 |
| 2009 | 11,241 | 90.2% | 4,748 | 8,887 | 15,456 |
| 2008 | 8,857 | 88.4% | 4,645 | 8,630 | 14,815 |
| 2007 | 11,018 | 88.4% | 4,597 | 8,936 | 15,280 |
| 2006 | 11,580 | 88.3% | 4,918 | 9,013 | 15,388 |
| 2005 | 10,200 | 88.4% | 5,400 | 10,225 | 17,461 |
| 2004 | 12,832 | 87.9% | 5,599 | 10,042 | 16,823 |
| 2003 | 10,359 | 88.4% | 5,339 | 9,910 | 16,950 |
| 2002 | 7,939 | 89.3% | 5,612 | 10,606 | 17,694 |
How Long Does a Triumph Bonneville Last?
Based on 29,562 Triumph Bonneville vehicles on UK roads.
Triumph Bonneville Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Triumph Bonneville 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 Bonneville
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
96.9% MOT pass rate from 131 tests
84.4% MOT pass rate from 262 tests
The best year to buy a used Triumph Bonneville is 1960, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 96.9% across 131 tests. The 1974 model year has the lowest pass rate at 84.4% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Triumph Bonneville Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Triumph Bonneville THIS CAR | 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 |
| Triumph Daytona | 85.8% | 136,043 | 16,233 mi | 34 yrs |
| Toyota Supra | 74.9% | 81,448 | 109,957 mi | 40 yrs |
Compared to the Triumph Tiger (90.6% pass rate) and the Triumph Sprint (87.3% pass rate), the Triumph Bonneville sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Triumph Bonneville 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 BonnevilleShould you buy a used Triumph Bonneville?
The Triumph Bonneville has an overall MOT pass rate of 90.1% across 235,206 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 Bonneville are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (907 recorded failures), brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (730), and roller brake test indicates a binding brake (580). 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 Triumph Bonneville with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.
A typical Triumph Bonneville owner drives around 520 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 Bonneville models stay on UK roads for around 53 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.