Triumph T120 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Triumph T120 car check
Is the Triumph T120 reliable? We analysed 5,128 real MOT tests across 844 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Triumph T120? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Triumph T120 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include steering headbearing has excessive free play, stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies and wheel bearings have excessive free play. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Triumph T120.
Triumph T120 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Triumph T120. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Triumph T120 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Triumph T120 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Triumph T120 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Triumph T120 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Triumph T120 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Triumph T120 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Triumph T120 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Triumph T120 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 57 | 91.2% | 30 | 330 | 2,699 |
| 2002 | 52 | 96.2% | 1,001 | 13,864 | 19,504 |
| 2001 | 50 | 94.0% | 3,450 | 7,096 | 17,868 |
| 2000 | 78 | 96.2% | 3,927 | 9,814 | 12,692 |
| 1999 | 108 | 94.4% | 1,788 | 4,720 | 16,007 |
| 1998 | 72 | 84.7% | 340 | 1,129 | 2,748 |
| 1997 | 67 | 88.1% | 2,247 | 10,715 | 26,190 |
| 1992 | 98 | 93.9% | 7,399 | 15,886 | 21,804 |
| 1991 | 101 | 85.1% | 2,759 | 16,210 | 28,719 |
| 1990 | 73 | 87.7% | 7,116 | 15,250 | 21,876 |
| 1975 | 64 | 87.5% | 10,520 | 21,838 | 24,540 |
| 1974 | 94 | 87.2% | 2,040 | 23,346 | 31,774 |
| 1973 | 250 | 91.2% | 5,754 | 21,500 | 29,185 |
| 1972 | 169 | 92.3% | 2,504 | 10,446 | 24,681 |
| 1971 | 302 | 92.4% | 3,418 | 12,069 | 21,435 |
| 1970 | 456 | 90.6% | 3,357 | 8,270 | 24,809 |
| 1969 | 504 | 93.7% | 3,657 | 9,813 | 22,670 |
| 1968 | 432 | 89.4% | 2,255 | 9,429 | 21,190 |
| 1967 | 299 | 90.3% | 1,636 | 5,044 | 14,580 |
| 1966 | 233 | 92.3% | 1,086 | 5,540 | 22,414 |
How Long Does a Triumph T120 Last?
Based on 844 Triumph T120 vehicles on UK roads.
Triumph T120 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Triumph T120 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 T120
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
96.2% MOT pass rate from 78 tests
84.7% MOT pass rate from 72 tests
The best year to buy a used Triumph T120 is 2000, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 96.2% across 78 tests. The 1998 model year has the lowest pass rate at 84.7% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Triumph T120 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Triumph T120 THIS CAR | 91.7% | 5,128 | 8,493 mi | 66 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 |
| Yamaha Yn 50 Neo's | 73.4% | 2,698 | 6,744 mi | 28 yrs |
Compared to the Triumph Bonneville (90.1% pass rate) and the Triumph Tiger (90.6% pass rate), the Triumph T120 outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Triumph T120 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 T120Should you buy a used Triumph T120?
The Triumph T120 has an overall MOT pass rate of 91.7% across 5,128 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 T120 are steering headbearing has excessive free play (24 recorded failures), stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (14), and wheel bearings have excessive free play (9). 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 T120 owner drives around 194 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 T120 models stay on UK roads for around 66 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.