Triumph Speed Twin Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Triumph Speed Twin car check
Is the Triumph Speed Twin reliable? We analysed 3,044 real MOT tests across 1,207 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Triumph Speed Twin? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Triumph Speed Twin is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include horn not working, footrest missing and headlamp at least one does not illuminate on main beam. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Triumph Speed Twin.
Triumph Speed Twin Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Triumph Speed Twin. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Triumph Speed Twin MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Triumph Speed Twin to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Triumph Speed Twin Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Triumph Speed Twin fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Triumph Speed Twin Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Triumph Speed Twin models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Triumph Speed Twin Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Triumph Speed Twin owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Triumph Speed Twin MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Triumph Speed Twin year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 96 | 89.6% | 2,795 | 4,652 | 7,118 |
| 2022 | 638 | 91.8% | 2,419 | 3,876 | 5,940 |
| 2021 | 516 | 91.9% | 2,684 | 4,535 | 7,018 |
| 2019 | 71 | 83.1% | 3,962 | 5,764 | 9,214 |
| 1966 | 68 | 83.8% | 14,753 | 15,048 | 24,682 |
| 1964 | 66 | 98.5% | 7,616 | 18,295 | 36,842 |
| 1963 | 74 | 91.9% | 3,797 | 7,131 | 16,230 |
| 1962 | 78 | 94.9% | 1,717 | 8,596 | 26,930 |
| 1961 | 170 | 94.1% | 5,455 | 11,872 | 40,516 |
| 1960 | 225 | 92.4% | 3,692 | 17,931 | 37,880 |
| 1959 | 88 | 94.3% | 2,316 | 7,044 | 39,128 |
| 1958 | 77 | 92.2% | 2,400 | 29,602 | 41,496 |
| 1957 | 50 | 90.0% | 1,096 | 10,351 | 19,833 |
How Long Does a Triumph Speed Twin Last?
Based on 1,207 Triumph Speed Twin vehicles on UK roads.
Triumph Speed Twin Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Triumph Speed Twin 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 Twin
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
98.5% MOT pass rate from 66 tests
83.1% MOT pass rate from 71 tests
The best year to buy a used Triumph Speed Twin is 1964, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 98.5% across 66 tests. The 2019 model year has the lowest pass rate at 83.1% — 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 Twin Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Triumph Speed Twin THIS CAR | 91.9% | 3,044 | 5,800 mi | 69 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 |
| Fiat Punto Td SX | 57.4% | 1,629 | 103,777 mi | 32 yrs |
Compared to the Triumph Bonneville (90.1% pass rate) and the Triumph Tiger (90.6% pass rate), the Triumph Speed Twin outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Triumph Speed Twin 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 TwinShould you buy a used Triumph Speed Twin?
The Triumph Speed Twin has an overall MOT pass rate of 91.9% across 3,044 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 Twin are horn not working (5 recorded failures), footrest missing (3), and headlamp at least one does not illuminate on main beam (3). 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 Twin 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 Twin owner drives around 292 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 Twin models stay on UK roads for around 69 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.