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Triumph T509 Speed Triple Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Triumph T509 Speed Triple car check

Is the Triumph T509 Speed Triple reliable? We analysed 2,373 real MOT tests across 221 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 2,373 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
83.9%
Typical Mileage
22,346mi
Annual Mileage
560mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
29yrs

The Triumph T509 Speed Triple is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies and shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Triumph T509 Speed Triple.

Triumph T509 Speed Triple Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Triumph T509 Speed Triple. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Triumph T509 Speed Triple MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Triumph T509 Speed Triple to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

82%
1999
82.9%
1998
84.8%
1997

Triumph T509 Speed Triple Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Triumph T509 Speed Triple fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 39
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 24
shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 22
Exhaust noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motor bicycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition 18
Horn not working 14
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 13
Headlamp aim too high 12
reflector on motorcycle missing 11
position lamp does not illuminate immediately when it is switched on 9
Direction indicator not working 8

Triumph T509 Speed Triple Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Triumph T509 Speed Triple owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
189 mi/yr
Typical
560 mi/yr
Average
1,103 mi/yr
Heavy usage
1,396 mi/yr

Triumph T509 Speed Triple MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Triumph T509 Speed Triple year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
1999 217 82.0% 15,389 21,703 26,077
1998 937 82.9% 16,280 22,528 33,236
1997 1,180 84.8% 15,796 22,738 32,861

How Long Does a Triumph T509 Speed Triple Last?

Based on 221 Triumph T509 Speed Triple vehicles on UK roads.

Average
19.9 years
Median
21.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
29 years

Triumph T509 Speed Triple Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Triumph T509 Speed Triple MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
22,346 mi
75th Percentile
32,449 mi
95th Percentile
45,044 mi
Max Recorded
312,770 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Triumph T509 Speed Triple

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
1997

84.8% MOT pass rate from 1,180 tests

Year to avoid
1999

82.0% MOT pass rate from 217 tests

The best year to buy a used Triumph T509 Speed Triple is 1997, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 84.8% across 1,180 tests. The 1999 model year has the lowest pass rate at 82.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Triumph T509 Speed Triple Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Triumph T509 Speed Triple THIS CAR 83.9% 2,373 22,346 mi 29 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
Hyundai Amica Gsi 76.3% 1,531 59,910 mi 26 yrs

Compared to the Triumph Bonneville (90.1% pass rate) and the Triumph Tiger (90.6% pass rate), the Triumph T509 Speed Triple trails behind on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Triumph T509 Speed Triple?

The Triumph T509 Speed Triple has an overall MOT pass rate of 83.9% across 2,373 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 T509 Speed Triple are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (39 recorded failures), stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (24), and shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (22). 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 T509 Speed Triple owner drives around 560 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 T509 Speed Triple models stay on UK roads for around 29 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.

Triumph T509 Speed Triple — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Triumph T509 Speed Triple reliable?
Based on 2,373 MOT tests, the Triumph T509 Speed Triple has a 83.9% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Triumph T509 Speed Triple?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, and shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Triumph T509 Speed Triple do per year?
The typical Triumph T509 Speed Triple does around 560 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Triumph T509 Speed Triple last?
Most Triumph T509 Speed Triple models stay on UK roads for around 29 years based on our analysis of 221 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Triumph T509 Speed Triple?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Triumph T509 Speed Triple?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Triumph T509 Speed Triple is 1997 with a 84.8% pass rate across 1,180 tests.