Triumph T20 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Triumph T20 car check
Is the Triumph T20 reliable? We analysed 958 real MOT tests across 246 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Triumph T20? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Triumph T20 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil and headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Triumph T20.
Triumph T20 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Triumph T20. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Triumph T20 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Triumph T20 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Triumph T20 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Triumph T20 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Triumph T20 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Triumph T20 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Triumph T20 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Triumph T20 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 | 94 | 86.2% | 5,725 | 13,234 | 28,183 |
| 1964 | 55 | 89.1% | 2,252 | 13,595 | 18,510 |
| 1963 | 79 | 91.1% | 6,121 | 12,693 | 21,243 |
| 1961 | 111 | 88.3% | 1,325 | 7,754 | 22,210 |
| 1960 | 63 | 93.7% | 412 | 1,980 | 10,193 |
How Long Does a Triumph T20 Last?
Based on 246 Triumph T20 vehicles on UK roads.
Triumph T20 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Triumph T20 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 T20
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
93.7% MOT pass rate from 63 tests
86.2% MOT pass rate from 94 tests
The best year to buy a used Triumph T20 is 1960, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 93.7% across 63 tests. The 1967 model year has the lowest pass rate at 86.2% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Triumph T20 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Triumph T20 THIS CAR | 89.4% | 958 | 7,231 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 |
| Volkswagen Polo Match Edition TSI | 94.8% | 809 | 40,380 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Triumph Bonneville (90.1% pass rate) and the Triumph Tiger (90.6% pass rate), the Triumph T20 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Triumph T20 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 T20Should you buy a used Triumph T20?
The Triumph T20 has an overall MOT pass rate of 89.4% across 958 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 T20 are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (5 recorded failures), shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (4), and headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam (4). 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 T20 owner drives around 67 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 T20 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.