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Triumph Tiger Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Triumph Tiger car check

Is the Triumph Tiger reliable? We analysed 196,853 real MOT tests across 24,469 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 196,853 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
90.6%
Typical Mileage
17,026mi
Annual Mileage
1,327mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
32yrs

The Triumph Tiger is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick, roller brake test indicates a binding brake and tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Triumph Tiger.

Triumph Tiger Number Plates

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

Triumph Tiger MOT Pass Rate by Year

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

91.1%
2022
95.2%
2021
92.7%
2020
93.9%
2019
93.9%
2018
93.7%
2017
92.7%
2016
92.6%
2015
92%
2014
91.8%
2013
91.5%
2012
92.3%
2011
89.6%
2010
88.9%
2009
89.1%
2008
88.4%
2007
87.6%
2006
86.4%
2005
86.8%
2004
87.3%
2003

Triumph Tiger Problems — What Goes Wrong?

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

Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 812
Roller brake test indicates a binding brake 793
Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 629
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 374
Headlamp aim too low 304

Triumph Tiger Common Faults & Problems

These are the most common serious faults found on Triumph Tiger models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.

Brake pad(s) less than 1.0 mm thick 1,236
Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 843

Triumph Tiger Mileage — What's Normal?

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

Low usage
498 mi/yr
Typical
1,327 mi/yr
Average
2,042 mi/yr
Heavy usage
2,753 mi/yr

Triumph Tiger MOT Data by Registration Year

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

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2022 90 91.1% 4,990 6,867 11,075
2021 207 95.2% 5,728 9,409 13,510
2020 2,332 92.7% 5,553 9,173 14,157
2019 7,543 93.9% 6,136 10,002 15,462
2018 10,902 93.9% 7,191 11,531 17,711
2017 12,957 93.7% 7,747 12,533 19,200
2016 13,901 92.7% 8,932 14,299 22,013
2015 18,546 92.6% 9,196 14,944 22,284
2014 19,451 92.0% 9,682 15,740 23,751
2013 20,889 91.8% 10,605 16,970 25,852
2012 9,603 91.5% 10,694 17,358 26,234
2011 5,986 92.3% 9,730 16,984 26,149
2010 2,947 89.6% 10,976 17,303 26,580
2009 3,894 88.9% 11,432 18,438 28,369
2008 4,065 89.1% 11,206 18,818 28,419
2007 8,813 88.4% 12,677 21,221 31,922
2006 4,735 87.6% 13,144 21,726 33,165
2005 7,234 86.4% 14,226 23,022 34,006
2004 6,643 86.8% 15,130 24,815 36,804
2003 5,241 87.3% 14,862 24,772 37,034

How Long Does a Triumph Tiger Last?

Based on 24,469 Triumph Tiger vehicles on UK roads.

Average
11.7 years
Median
10.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
32 years

Triumph Tiger Mileage Distribution

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

Median
17,026 mi
75th Percentile
27,352 mi
95th Percentile
47,789 mi
Max Recorded
884,216 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Triumph Tiger

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

Best year
1957

98.5% MOT pass rate from 67 tests

Year to avoid
1997

82.9% MOT pass rate from 1,387 tests

The best year to buy a used Triumph Tiger is 1957, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 98.5% across 67 tests. The 1997 model year has the lowest pass rate at 82.9% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Triumph Tiger Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Triumph Tiger THIS CAR 90.6% 196,853 17,026 mi 32 yrs
Triumph Bonneville 90.1% 235,206 7,823 mi 53 yrs
Triumph Sprint 87.3% 158,613 21,242 mi 33 yrs
Triumph Daytona 85.8% 136,043 16,233 mi 34 yrs
Mitsubishi Mirage 85.4% 97,130 31,512 mi 13 yrs

Compared to the Triumph Bonneville (90.1% pass rate) and the Triumph Sprint (87.3% pass rate), the Triumph Tiger outperforms both on MOT reliability.

Found a Triumph Tiger you like?

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Should you buy a used Triumph Tiger?

The Triumph Tiger has an overall MOT pass rate of 90.6% across 196,853 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 Tiger are brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (812 recorded failures), roller brake test indicates a binding brake (793), and tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (629). 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.

On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is brake pad(s) less than 1.0 mm thick. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Triumph Tiger with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.

A typical Triumph Tiger owner drives around 1,327 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 Tiger models stay on UK roads for around 32 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 Tiger — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Triumph Tiger reliable?
Based on 196,853 MOT tests, the Triumph Tiger has a 90.6% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Triumph Tiger?
The most common MOT failures are brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick, roller brake test indicates a binding brake, and tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Triumph Tiger do per year?
The typical Triumph Tiger does around 1,327 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Triumph Tiger last?
Most Triumph Tiger models stay on UK roads for around 32 years based on our analysis of 24,469 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Triumph Tiger?
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 Tiger?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Triumph Tiger is 1957 with a 98.5% pass rate across 67 tests.