Triumph Roadster Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Triumph Roadster car check
Is the Triumph Roadster reliable? We analysed 817 real MOT tests across 144 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Triumph Roadster? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Triumph Roadster is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include parking brake: efficiency below requirements, brakes imbalanced across an axle and windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Triumph Roadster.
Triumph Roadster Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Triumph Roadster. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Triumph Roadster MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Triumph Roadster to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Triumph Roadster Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Triumph Roadster fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Triumph Roadster Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Triumph Roadster owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Triumph Roadster MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Triumph Roadster year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1949 | 262 | 91.6% | 6,809 | 34,272 | 75,610 |
| 1948 | 133 | 88.7% | 5,006 | 11,087 | 38,424 |
| 1947 | 126 | 84.9% | 8,840 | 48,305 | 67,541 |
How Long Does a Triumph Roadster Last?
Based on 144 Triumph Roadster vehicles on UK roads.
Triumph Roadster Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Triumph Roadster 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 Roadster
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
91.6% MOT pass rate from 262 tests
84.9% MOT pass rate from 126 tests
The best year to buy a used Triumph Roadster is 1949, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 91.6% across 262 tests. The 1947 model year has the lowest pass rate at 84.9% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Triumph Roadster Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Triumph Roadster THIS CAR | 88.6% | 817 | 22,064 mi | 79 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 |
| Audi A6 S Ln Blk ED 40 TFSI MHEV Sa | 90.5% | 1,477 | 31,543 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Triumph Bonneville (90.1% pass rate) and the Triumph Tiger (90.6% pass rate), the Triumph Roadster trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Triumph Roadster 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 RoadsterShould you buy a used Triumph Roadster?
The Triumph Roadster has an overall MOT pass rate of 88.6% across 817 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 Roadster are parking brake: efficiency below requirements (20 recorded failures), brakes imbalanced across an axle (13), and windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (12). 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 Roadster owner drives around 264 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 Roadster models stay on UK roads for around 79 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.