Triumph T140E Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Triumph T140E car check
Is the Triumph T140E reliable? We analysed 872 real MOT tests across 155 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Triumph T140E? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Triumph T140E 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 shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Triumph T140E.
Triumph T140E Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Triumph T140E. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Triumph T140E MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Triumph T140E to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Triumph T140E Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Triumph T140E fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Triumph T140E Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Triumph T140E owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Triumph T140E MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Triumph T140E year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 84 | 86.9% | 17,616 | 29,993 | 37,109 |
| 1980 | 226 | 89.4% | 8,822 | 15,312 | 30,258 |
| 1979 | 234 | 88.9% | 8,223 | 21,016 | 33,615 |
| 1978 | 133 | 91.0% | 2,381 | 10,065 | 25,994 |
How Long Does a Triumph T140E Last?
Based on 155 Triumph T140E vehicles on UK roads.
Triumph T140E Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Triumph T140E 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 T140E
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
91.0% MOT pass rate from 133 tests
86.9% MOT pass rate from 84 tests
The best year to buy a used Triumph T140E is 1978, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 91.0% across 133 tests. The 1981 model year has the lowest pass rate at 86.9% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Triumph T140E Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Triumph T140E THIS CAR | 88.0% | 872 | 18,908 mi | 48 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 |
| Renault Clio Dynamique Turbo 100 | 75.7% | 954 | 87,279 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Triumph Bonneville (90.1% pass rate) and the Triumph Tiger (90.6% pass rate), the Triumph T140E trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Triumph T140E 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 T140EShould you buy a used Triumph T140E?
The Triumph T140E has an overall MOT pass rate of 88.0% across 872 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 T140E are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (7 recorded failures), headlamp at least one does not illuminate on main beam (5), and shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (5). 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 T140E owner drives around 204 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 T140E models stay on UK roads for around 48 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.