Triumph Speedmaster Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Triumph Speedmaster car check
Is the Triumph Speedmaster reliable? We analysed 12,407 real MOT tests across 1,030 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Triumph Speedmaster? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Triumph Speedmaster is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include exhaust markings indicating not for road use or similar wording, brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick and tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Triumph Speedmaster.
Triumph Speedmaster Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Triumph Speedmaster. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Triumph Speedmaster MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Triumph Speedmaster to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Triumph Speedmaster Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Triumph Speedmaster fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Triumph Speedmaster Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Triumph Speedmaster models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Triumph Speedmaster Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Triumph Speedmaster owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Triumph Speedmaster MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Triumph Speedmaster year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 117 | 86.3% | 4,366 | 7,522 | 10,761 |
| 2015 | 166 | 88.0% | 2,933 | 5,850 | 9,832 |
| 2014 | 288 | 89.2% | 4,092 | 7,101 | 11,399 |
| 2013 | 107 | 88.8% | 3,792 | 6,692 | 14,226 |
| 2012 | 323 | 90.1% | 4,239 | 8,855 | 14,550 |
| 2011 | 1,048 | 89.7% | 4,890 | 9,182 | 15,087 |
| 2010 | 1,054 | 87.8% | 6,063 | 10,168 | 15,578 |
| 2009 | 1,352 | 89.5% | 5,918 | 9,727 | 15,445 |
| 2008 | 1,133 | 87.6% | 5,305 | 9,758 | 17,396 |
| 2007 | 1,392 | 87.5% | 5,658 | 10,316 | 17,365 |
| 2006 | 1,733 | 88.1% | 6,100 | 11,418 | 19,224 |
| 2005 | 1,157 | 85.7% | 5,448 | 10,078 | 16,964 |
| 2004 | 1,174 | 85.9% | 5,600 | 10,471 | 18,882 |
| 2003 | 1,181 | 87.6% | 6,993 | 11,470 | 18,774 |
How Long Does a Triumph Speedmaster Last?
Based on 1,030 Triumph Speedmaster vehicles on UK roads.
Triumph Speedmaster Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Triumph Speedmaster 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 Speedmaster
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
90.1% MOT pass rate from 323 tests
85.7% MOT pass rate from 1,157 tests
The best year to buy a used Triumph Speedmaster is 2012, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 90.1% across 323 tests. The 2005 model year has the lowest pass rate at 85.7% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Triumph Speedmaster Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Triumph Speedmaster THIS CAR | 87.8% | 12,407 | 10,114 mi | 23 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 |
| Aprilia RX50 | 64.4% | 5,014 | 13,360 mi | 28 yrs |
Compared to the Triumph Bonneville (90.1% pass rate) and the Triumph Tiger (90.6% pass rate), the Triumph Speedmaster trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Triumph Speedmaster 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 SpeedmasterShould you buy a used Triumph Speedmaster?
The Triumph Speedmaster has an overall MOT pass rate of 87.8% across 12,407 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 Speedmaster are exhaust markings indicating not for road use or similar wording (65 recorded failures), brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (61), and tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (58). 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 Speedmaster 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 Speedmaster owner drives around 657 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 Speedmaster models stay on UK roads for around 23 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.