Triumph T140 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Triumph T140 car check
Is the Triumph T140 reliable? We analysed 4,464 real MOT tests across 653 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Triumph T140? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Triumph T140 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm and position lamp does not illuminate immediately when it is switched on. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Triumph T140.
Triumph T140 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Triumph T140. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Triumph T140 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Triumph T140 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Triumph T140 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Triumph T140 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Triumph T140 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Triumph T140 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Triumph T140 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Triumph T140 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 72 | 86.1% | 8,697 | 16,294 | 18,431 |
| 1992 | 83 | 90.4% | 5,451 | 17,064 | 21,666 |
| 1991 | 62 | 85.5% | 4,299 | 17,254 | 19,568 |
| 1988 | 52 | 78.8% | 5,492 | 13,131 | 19,651 |
| 1987 | 127 | 91.3% | 12,549 | 18,104 | 25,132 |
| 1982 | 135 | 97.8% | 9,250 | 21,733 | 30,818 |
| 1981 | 392 | 90.6% | 8,750 | 14,957 | 23,872 |
| 1980 | 684 | 88.2% | 13,550 | 21,170 | 30,864 |
| 1979 | 738 | 87.0% | 9,606 | 18,661 | 26,146 |
| 1978 | 620 | 87.4% | 8,688 | 19,304 | 33,147 |
| 1977 | 347 | 83.9% | 6,372 | 14,930 | 22,799 |
| 1976 | 382 | 89.3% | 8,496 | 19,978 | 28,494 |
| 1975 | 244 | 85.7% | 3,781 | 14,311 | 24,250 |
| 1973 | 100 | 90.0% | 8,564 | 16,578 | 21,924 |
How Long Does a Triumph T140 Last?
Based on 653 Triumph T140 vehicles on UK roads.
Triumph T140 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Triumph T140 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 T140
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
97.8% MOT pass rate from 135 tests
78.8% MOT pass rate from 52 tests
The best year to buy a used Triumph T140 is 1982, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 97.8% across 135 tests. The 1988 model year has the lowest pass rate at 78.8% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Triumph T140 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Triumph T140 THIS CAR | 88.1% | 4,464 | 17,572 mi | 53 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 |
| Morris Cowley | 93% | 2,690 | 5,600 mi | 103 yrs |
Compared to the Triumph Bonneville (90.1% pass rate) and the Triumph Tiger (90.6% pass rate), the Triumph T140 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Triumph T140 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 T140Should you buy a used Triumph T140?
The Triumph T140 has an overall MOT pass rate of 88.1% across 4,464 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 T140 are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (24 recorded failures), tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (21), and position lamp does not illuminate immediately when it is switched on (20). 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 T140 owner drives around 249 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 T140 models stay on UK roads for around 53 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.