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Triumph T90 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Triumph T90 car check

Is the Triumph T90 reliable? We analysed 1,200 real MOT tests across 198 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 1,200 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
90.7%
Typical Mileage
9,178mi
Annual Mileage
151mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
63yrs

The Triumph T90 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 steering headbearing has excessive free play. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Triumph T90.

Triumph T90 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Triumph T90. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Triumph T90 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Triumph T90 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

92.4%
1968
90.6%
1967
91.6%
1966
89.8%
1965
92.5%
1964
88.1%
1963

Triumph T90 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Triumph T90 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 9
shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 5
Steering headbearing has excessive free play 4
suspension has inadequate damping effect. 4
Headlamp at least one does not illuminate on main beam 4
Headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam 4
Floor brake test The less effective brake control does not achieve an efficiency of 25%. 4
wheel bearings are excessively rough 3
Brake lever has inadequate reserve travel 3
Fuel system component leaking 3

Triumph T90 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Triumph T90 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
40 mi/yr
Typical
151 mi/yr
Average
691 mi/yr
Heavy usage
422 mi/yr

Triumph T90 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Triumph T90 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
1968 172 92.4% 7,688 20,000 36,468
1967 202 90.6% 2,210 7,578 28,274
1966 131 91.6% 3,554 6,362 40,814
1965 196 89.8% 3,314 24,561 35,586
1964 173 92.5% 3,452 7,763 28,090
1963 84 88.1% 995 9,728 16,271

How Long Does a Triumph T90 Last?

Based on 198 Triumph T90 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
45.4 years
Median
49.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
63 years

Triumph T90 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Triumph T90 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
9,178 mi
75th Percentile
32,628 mi
95th Percentile
62,229 mi
Max Recorded
374,797 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Triumph T90

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

Best year
1964

92.5% MOT pass rate from 173 tests

Year to avoid
1963

88.1% MOT pass rate from 84 tests

The best year to buy a used Triumph T90 is 1964, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 92.5% across 173 tests. The 1963 model year has the lowest pass rate at 88.1% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Triumph T90 Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Triumph T90 THIS CAR 90.7% 1,200 9,178 mi 63 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
Ducati Multistrada 1260 S Grand Tour 93.1% 420 9,706 mi — yrs

Compared to the Triumph Bonneville (90.1% pass rate) and the Triumph Tiger (90.6% pass rate), the Triumph T90 outperforms both on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Triumph T90?

The Triumph T90 has an overall MOT pass rate of 90.7% across 1,200 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 T90 are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (9 recorded failures), shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (5), and steering headbearing has excessive free play (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 T90 owner drives around 151 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 T90 models stay on UK roads for around 63 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 T90 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Triumph T90 reliable?
Based on 1,200 MOT tests, the Triumph T90 has a 90.7% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Triumph T90?
The most common MOT failures are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, and steering headbearing has excessive free play. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Triumph T90 do per year?
The typical Triumph T90 does around 151 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Triumph T90 last?
Most Triumph T90 models stay on UK roads for around 63 years based on our analysis of 198 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Triumph T90?
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 T90?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Triumph T90 is 1964 with a 92.5% pass rate across 173 tests.