Triumph TR4 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Triumph TR4 car check
Is the Triumph TR4 reliable? We analysed 12,148 real MOT tests across 1,310 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Triumph TR4? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Triumph TR4 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid, parking brake: efficiency below requirements and horn not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Triumph TR4.
Triumph TR4 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Triumph TR4. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Triumph TR4 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Triumph TR4 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Triumph TR4 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Triumph TR4 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Triumph TR4 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Triumph TR4 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Triumph TR4 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Triumph TR4 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 57 | 78.9% | 6,689 | 58,806 | 65,642 |
| 2008 | 62 | 87.1% | 3,325 | 21,494 | 28,014 |
| 2007 | 59 | 86.4% | 72,024 | 74,253 | 75,986 |
| 2004 | 68 | 91.2% | 6,270 | 10,994 | 15,002 |
| 2003 | 84 | 86.9% | 2,967 | 15,538 | 55,587 |
| 2002 | 107 | 84.1% | 8,611 | 14,811 | 57,834 |
| 2000 | 126 | 82.5% | 13,401 | 56,208 | 83,279 |
| 1998 | 54 | 92.6% | 11,884 | 24,164 | 73,648 |
| 1997 | 277 | 84.5% | 16,546 | 30,068 | 60,162 |
| 1996 | 156 | 89.1% | 25,737 | 44,280 | 82,559 |
| 1995 | 137 | 87.6% | 16,868 | 34,084 | 52,278 |
| 1994 | 145 | 88.3% | 17,328 | 50,626 | 73,852 |
| 1993 | 149 | 87.9% | 29,092 | 50,829 | 71,348 |
| 1992 | 191 | 82.2% | 19,176 | 38,330 | 45,356 |
| 1991 | 206 | 82.0% | 10,225 | 29,482 | 50,639 |
| 1990 | 306 | 85.6% | 31,321 | 51,874 | 74,111 |
| 1989 | 92 | 81.5% | 12,332 | 24,522 | 28,806 |
| 1988 | 69 | 82.6% | 12,453 | 70,937 | 80,296 |
| 1987 | 86 | 82.6% | 15,640 | 19,506 | 40,506 |
| 1983 | 63 | 79.4% | 24,406 | 58,399 | 76,925 |
How Long Does a Triumph TR4 Last?
Based on 1,310 Triumph TR4 vehicles on UK roads.
Triumph TR4 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Triumph TR4 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 TR4
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
92.6% MOT pass rate from 54 tests
78.9% MOT pass rate from 57 tests
The best year to buy a used Triumph TR4 is 1998, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 92.6% across 54 tests. The 2009 model year has the lowest pass rate at 78.9% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Triumph TR4 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Triumph TR4 THIS CAR | 83.8% | 12,148 | 34,087 mi | 64 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 |
| Mercedes Ml | 77.3% | 3,846 | 90,009 mi | 27 yrs |
Compared to the Triumph Bonneville (90.1% pass rate) and the Triumph Tiger (90.6% pass rate), the Triumph TR4 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Triumph TR4 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 TR4Should you buy a used Triumph TR4?
The Triumph TR4 has an overall MOT pass rate of 83.8% across 12,148 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 TR4 are windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (234 recorded failures), parking brake: efficiency below requirements (208), and horn not working (205). 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 TR4 owner drives around 428 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 TR4 models stay on UK roads for around 64 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.