Triumph Cub Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Triumph Cub car check
Is the Triumph Cub reliable? We analysed 890 real MOT tests across 165 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Triumph Cub? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Triumph Cub is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include handlebar handgrip not secure to handlebars., suspension assembly excessive wear or free play in a front suspension component and steering lock stop missing. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Triumph Cub.
Triumph Cub Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Triumph Cub. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Triumph Cub MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Triumph Cub to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Triumph Cub Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Triumph Cub fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Triumph Cub Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Triumph Cub owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Triumph Cub MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Triumph Cub year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1963 | 52 | 90.4% | 476 | 5,415 | 18,072 |
| 1962 | 53 | 96.2% | 1,290 | 7,325 | 25,842 |
| 1961 | 96 | 95.8% | 458 | 2,783 | 17,276 |
| 1960 | 89 | 83.1% | 2,435 | 7,847 | 11,433 |
How Long Does a Triumph Cub Last?
Based on 165 Triumph Cub vehicles on UK roads.
Triumph Cub Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Triumph Cub 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 Cub
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
96.2% MOT pass rate from 53 tests
83.1% MOT pass rate from 89 tests
The best year to buy a used Triumph Cub is 1962, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 96.2% across 53 tests. The 1960 model year has the lowest pass rate at 83.1% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Triumph Cub Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Triumph Cub THIS CAR | 92.0% | 890 | 7,325 mi | 66 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 |
| Chrysler 300C Crd | 62.9% | 949 | 106,722 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Triumph Bonneville (90.1% pass rate) and the Triumph Tiger (90.6% pass rate), the Triumph Cub outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Triumph Cub 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 CubShould you buy a used Triumph Cub?
The Triumph Cub has an overall MOT pass rate of 92.0% across 890 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 Cub are handlebar handgrip not secure to handlebars. (3 recorded failures), suspension assembly excessive wear or free play in a front suspension component (2), and steering lock stop missing (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 Cub owner drives around 87 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 Cub models stay on UK roads for around 66 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.