Triumph Speedtwin Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Triumph Speedtwin car check
Is the Triumph Speedtwin reliable? We analysed 528 real MOT tests across 114 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Triumph Speedtwin? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Triumph Speedtwin is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, headlamp at least one does not illuminate on main beam and tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Triumph Speedtwin.
Triumph Speedtwin Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Triumph Speedtwin. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Triumph Speedtwin MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Triumph Speedtwin to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Triumph Speedtwin Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Triumph Speedtwin fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Triumph Speedtwin Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Triumph Speedtwin owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Triumph Speedtwin MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Triumph Speedtwin year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | 51 | 86.3% | 4,832 | 17,814 | 30,689 |
| 1960 | 72 | 93.1% | 1,509 | 16,010 | 42,542 |
| 1959 | 67 | 89.6% | 2,594 | 9,744 | 25,007 |
How Long Does a Triumph Speedtwin Last?
Based on 114 Triumph Speedtwin vehicles on UK roads.
Triumph Speedtwin Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Triumph Speedtwin 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 Speedtwin
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
93.1% MOT pass rate from 72 tests
86.3% MOT pass rate from 51 tests
The best year to buy a used Triumph Speedtwin is 1960, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 93.1% across 72 tests. The 1961 model year has the lowest pass rate at 86.3% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Triumph Speedtwin Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Triumph Speedtwin THIS CAR | 93.0% | 528 | 11,573 mi | 67 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 Marea 115 Elx | 63.4% | 634 | 68,327 mi | 27 yrs |
Compared to the Triumph Bonneville (90.1% pass rate) and the Triumph Tiger (90.6% pass rate), the Triumph Speedtwin outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Triumph Speedtwin 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 SpeedtwinShould you buy a used Triumph Speedtwin?
The Triumph Speedtwin has an overall MOT pass rate of 93.0% across 528 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 Speedtwin are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (3 recorded failures), headlamp at least one does not illuminate on main beam (3), and tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (2). 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.
A typical Triumph Speedtwin owner drives around 174 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 Speedtwin models stay on UK roads for around 67 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.