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Triumph Scrambler Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

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Is the Triumph Scrambler reliable? We analysed 5,597 real MOT tests across 1,340 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 5,597 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
90.9%
Typical Mileage
6,633mi
Annual Mileage
988mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
20yrs

The Triumph Scrambler is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Triumph Scrambler.

Triumph Scrambler Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Triumph Scrambler. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Triumph Scrambler MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Triumph Scrambler to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

90.4%
2021
92%
2020
91.6%
2019
91.3%
2018
84.9%
2015
80.6%
2012
81.1%
2009
90.1%
2008
92.8%
2007
87.1%
2006

Triumph Scrambler Common Faults & Problems

These are the most common serious faults found on Triumph Scrambler models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.

Brake pad(s) less than 1.0 mm thick 23
Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 17

Triumph Scrambler Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Triumph Scrambler owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
405 mi/yr
Typical
988 mi/yr
Average
1,549 mi/yr
Heavy usage
2,038 mi/yr

Triumph Scrambler MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Triumph Scrambler year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2021 322 90.4% 3,315 4,968 7,514
2020 1,153 92.0% 3,296 5,296 9,076
2019 2,849 91.6% 4,346 7,019 11,080
2018 309 91.3% 4,532 6,608 10,001
2015 53 84.9% 2,934 7,032 11,022
2012 62 80.6% 6,704 9,188 13,577
2009 74 81.1% 5,116 6,553 11,735
2008 152 90.1% 3,786 10,644 22,932
2007 83 92.8% 3,825 7,318 12,298
2006 170 87.1% 4,743 8,374 11,002

How Long Does a Triumph Scrambler Last?

Based on 1,340 Triumph Scrambler vehicles on UK roads.

Average
5.7 years
Median
5.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
20 years

Triumph Scrambler Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Triumph Scrambler MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
6,633 mi
75th Percentile
10,631 mi
95th Percentile
20,573 mi
Max Recorded
83,191 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Triumph Scrambler

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
2007

92.8% MOT pass rate from 83 tests

Year to avoid
2012

80.6% MOT pass rate from 62 tests

The best year to buy a used Triumph Scrambler is 2007, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 92.8% across 83 tests. The 2012 model year has the lowest pass rate at 80.6% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Triumph Scrambler Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Triumph Scrambler THIS CAR 90.9% 5,597 6,633 mi 20 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
Honda Cbr 125 RW-9 76.9% 2,761 12,388 mi 18 yrs

Compared to the Triumph Bonneville (90.1% pass rate) and the Triumph Tiger (90.6% pass rate), the Triumph Scrambler outperforms both on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Triumph Scrambler?

The Triumph Scrambler has an overall MOT pass rate of 90.9% across 5,597 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 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 Scrambler 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 Scrambler owner drives around 988 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 Scrambler models stay on UK roads for around 20 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.

Triumph Scrambler — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Triumph Scrambler reliable?
Based on 5,597 MOT tests, the Triumph Scrambler has a 90.9% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Triumph Scrambler?
The most common failure point is general wear and tear.
How many miles does a Triumph Scrambler do per year?
The typical Triumph Scrambler does around 988 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Triumph Scrambler last?
Most Triumph Scrambler models stay on UK roads for around 20 years based on our analysis of 1,340 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Triumph Scrambler?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Triumph Scrambler?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Triumph Scrambler is 2007 with a 92.8% pass rate across 83 tests.