CarVerify

Triumph Speed Triple Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Triumph Speed Triple car check

Is the Triumph Speed Triple reliable? We analysed 90,583 real MOT tests across 8,756 vehicles to find out.

Got a specific Triumph Speed Triple? Enter the reg for a free check:

Free basic check Reports from £4.99 Results in seconds
Data last updated: · Based on 90,583 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
87.3%
Typical Mileage
12,740mi
Annual Mileage
772mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
32yrs

The Triumph Speed Triple is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick and reflector on motorcycle missing. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Triumph Speed Triple.

Triumph Speed Triple Number Plates

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

Triumph Speed Triple MOT Pass Rate by Year

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

85.9%
2019
92.2%
2018
91.2%
2017
90.8%
2016
88.3%
2015
88.6%
2014
89%
2013
88.2%
2012
88.1%
2011
89%
2010
88.3%
2009
87.9%
2008
86.1%
2007
85.5%
2006
85.4%
2005
87.7%
2004
86.4%
2003
86.1%
2002
87.5%
2001
85.8%
2000

Triumph Speed Triple Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Triumph Speed Triple fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 724
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 359
reflector on motorcycle missing 285
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 269
shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 237

Triumph Speed Triple Common Faults & Problems

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

Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 412
Brake pad(s) less than 1.0 mm thick 246

Triumph Speed Triple Mileage — What's Normal?

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

Low usage
291 mi/yr
Typical
772 mi/yr
Average
1,285 mi/yr
Heavy usage
1,665 mi/yr

Triumph Speed Triple MOT Data by Registration Year

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

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2019 78 85.9% 3,818 6,008 9,241
2018 831 92.2% 4,250 6,898 10,666
2017 2,588 91.2% 5,118 8,090 12,074
2016 4,856 90.8% 5,312 8,466 13,238
2015 3,392 88.3% 5,610 9,088 13,646
2014 4,164 88.6% 5,942 9,831 15,658
2013 4,428 89.0% 6,180 10,110 15,711
2012 3,376 88.2% 6,822 11,228 17,449
2011 5,583 88.1% 7,413 11,827 17,986
2010 7,161 89.0% 6,822 11,471 17,712
2009 5,410 88.3% 6,822 11,810 18,877
2008 5,393 87.9% 7,481 12,448 19,336
2007 5,666 86.1% 7,746 13,160 19,854
2006 5,843 85.5% 7,549 12,818 19,889
2005 9,172 85.4% 7,684 13,399 20,842
2004 2,743 87.7% 9,572 15,547 23,388
2003 2,999 86.4% 9,597 16,286 23,395
2002 2,547 86.1% 11,032 17,623 25,276
2001 2,585 87.5% 10,606 17,995 26,498
2000 2,063 85.8% 11,349 18,176 26,565

How Long Does a Triumph Speed Triple Last?

Based on 8,756 Triumph Speed Triple vehicles on UK roads.

Average
13.3 years
Median
13.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
32 years

Triumph Speed Triple Mileage Distribution

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

Median
12,740 mi
75th Percentile
20,510 mi
95th Percentile
35,911 mi
Max Recorded
531,846 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Triumph Speed Triple

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

Best year
2018

92.2% MOT pass rate from 831 tests

Year to avoid
1998

81.1% MOT pass rate from 1,497 tests

The best year to buy a used Triumph Speed Triple is 2018, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 92.2% across 831 tests. The 1998 model year has the lowest pass rate at 81.1% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Triumph Speed Triple Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Triumph Speed Triple THIS CAR 87.3% 90,583 12,740 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
Mazda B Series 68.9% 136,422 92,775 mi 38 yrs

Compared to the Triumph Bonneville (90.1% pass rate) and the Triumph Tiger (90.6% pass rate), the Triumph Speed Triple trails behind on MOT reliability.

Found a Triumph Speed Triple 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 Speed Triple

Should you buy a used Triumph Speed Triple?

The Triumph Speed Triple has an overall MOT pass rate of 87.3% across 90,583 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 Triple are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (724 recorded failures), brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (359), and reflector on motorcycle missing (285). 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 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 Speed Triple 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 Triple owner drives around 772 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 Triple 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.

Triumph Speed Triple — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Triumph Speed Triple reliable?
Based on 90,583 MOT tests, the Triumph Speed Triple has a 87.3% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Triumph Speed Triple?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick, and reflector on motorcycle missing. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Triumph Speed Triple do per year?
The typical Triumph Speed Triple does around 772 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Triumph Speed Triple last?
Most Triumph Speed Triple models stay on UK roads for around 32 years based on our analysis of 8,756 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Triumph Speed Triple?
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 Speed Triple?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Triumph Speed Triple is 2018 with a 92.2% pass rate across 831 tests.