Triumph S Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Triumph S car check
Is the Triumph S reliable? We analysed 34,257 real MOT tests across 4,852 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Triumph S? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Triumph S is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Triumph S.
Triumph S Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Triumph S. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Triumph S MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Triumph S to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Triumph S Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Triumph S models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Triumph S Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Triumph S owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Triumph S MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Triumph S year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 1,697 | 92.8% | 4,172 | 7,838 | 12,273 |
| 2016 | 6,603 | 90.8% | 5,097 | 8,620 | 13,083 |
| 2015 | 8,648 | 90.0% | 5,527 | 9,312 | 14,463 |
| 2014 | 9,411 | 88.8% | 5,987 | 10,100 | 15,950 |
| 2013 | 5,557 | 88.6% | 6,259 | 10,656 | 16,951 |
| 2012 | 490 | 90.8% | 4,303 | 8,760 | 14,213 |
| 2011 | 101 | 84.2% | 2,150 | 4,920 | 9,646 |
| 2010 | 97 | 86.6% | 5,731 | 10,270 | 23,232 |
| 1978 | 60 | 70.0% | 37,823 | 53,611 | 57,572 |
| 1977 | 149 | 76.5% | 46,071 | 54,776 | 73,691 |
| 1976 | 159 | 76.7% | 32,628 | 58,482 | 73,945 |
| 1975 | 127 | 78.7% | 28,478 | 71,968 | 84,867 |
| 1974 | 142 | 81.0% | 49,370 | 69,036 | 82,885 |
| 1973 | 170 | 73.5% | 21,570 | 52,951 | 80,172 |
| 1972 | 183 | 78.7% | 41,870 | 60,692 | 75,766 |
| 1971 | 75 | 78.7% | 28,837 | 56,885 | 79,472 |
| 1970 | 70 | 85.7% | 22,049 | 63,071 | 94,220 |
How Long Does a Triumph S Last?
Based on 4,852 Triumph S vehicles on UK roads.
Triumph S Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Triumph S 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 S
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
92.8% MOT pass rate from 1,697 tests
70.0% MOT pass rate from 60 tests
The best year to buy a used Triumph S is 2017, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 92.8% across 1,697 tests. The 1978 model year has the lowest pass rate at 70.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Triumph S Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Triumph S THIS CAR | 89.2% | 34,257 | 9,774 mi | 14 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 |
| Piaggio Skipper | 76.1% | 13,344 | 9,015 mi | 27 yrs |
Compared to the Triumph Bonneville (90.1% pass rate) and the Triumph Tiger (90.6% pass rate), the Triumph S trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Triumph S 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 SShould you buy a used Triumph S?
The Triumph S has an overall MOT pass rate of 89.2% across 34,257 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Triumph S 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 S owner drives around 833 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 S models stay on UK roads for around 14 years. 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.