Triumph Speed Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Triumph Speed car check
Is the Triumph Speed reliable? We analysed 21,422 real MOT tests across 3,997 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Triumph Speed? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Triumph Speed is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies and tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Triumph Speed.
Triumph Speed Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Triumph Speed. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Triumph Speed MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Triumph Speed to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Triumph Speed Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Triumph Speed fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Triumph Speed Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Triumph Speed models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Triumph Speed Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Triumph Speed owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Triumph Speed MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Triumph Speed year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 754 | 89.5% | 2,796 | 5,042 | 7,775 |
| 2020 | 2,796 | 91.2% | 3,301 | 5,293 | 8,447 |
| 2019 | 4,844 | 91.3% | 3,636 | 6,119 | 9,610 |
| 2018 | 2,643 | 92.3% | 4,500 | 7,258 | 11,168 |
| 2016 | 889 | 90.8% | 3,574 | 6,317 | 10,307 |
| 2015 | 996 | 90.2% | 3,750 | 6,330 | 10,435 |
| 2014 | 1,574 | 88.9% | 4,993 | 8,374 | 14,024 |
| 2013 | 831 | 89.2% | 4,086 | 7,785 | 13,061 |
| 2012 | 373 | 89.5% | 4,284 | 7,800 | 12,172 |
| 2011 | 64 | 92.2% | 3,105 | 6,495 | 14,295 |
| 2010 | 69 | 92.8% | 8,767 | 15,312 | 25,813 |
| 2009 | 52 | 94.2% | 2,905 | 11,843 | 17,441 |
| 2004 | 68 | 91.2% | 13,219 | 18,969 | 28,802 |
| 2003 | 68 | 86.8% | 9,086 | 19,934 | 30,586 |
| 2002 | 64 | 82.8% | 13,643 | 15,834 | 26,005 |
| 2001 | 55 | 87.3% | 10,726 | 13,483 | 22,832 |
| 1999 | 269 | 81.8% | 13,789 | 24,827 | 35,140 |
| 1998 | 505 | 83.2% | 13,833 | 21,069 | 30,558 |
| 1997 | 1,171 | 83.6% | 16,043 | 23,097 | 34,528 |
| 1996 | 802 | 86.0% | 16,116 | 23,015 | 33,189 |
How Long Does a Triumph Speed Last?
Based on 3,997 Triumph Speed vehicles on UK roads.
Triumph Speed Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Triumph Speed 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 Speed
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
94.2% MOT pass rate from 52 tests
81.8% MOT pass rate from 269 tests
The best year to buy a used Triumph Speed is 2009, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 94.2% across 52 tests. The 1999 model year has the lowest pass rate at 81.8% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Triumph Speed Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Triumph Speed THIS CAR | 89.6% | 21,422 | 8,273 mi | 32 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 |
| Nissan Juke Visia | 84.6% | 6,567 | 56,482 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Triumph Bonneville (90.1% pass rate) and the Triumph Tiger (90.6% pass rate), the Triumph Speed trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Triumph Speed 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 SpeedShould you buy a used Triumph Speed?
The Triumph Speed has an overall MOT pass rate of 89.6% across 21,422 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 Speed are shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (72 recorded failures), stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (67), and tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (57). 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 Speed 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 Speed owner drives around 774 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 Speed models stay on UK roads for around 32 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.