Triumph TR4A Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Triumph TR4A car check
Is the Triumph TR4A reliable? We analysed 11,256 real MOT tests across 999 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Triumph TR4A? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Triumph TR4A is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include parking brake: efficiency below requirements, windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid and horn not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Triumph TR4A.
Triumph TR4A Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Triumph TR4A. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Triumph TR4A MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Triumph TR4A to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Triumph TR4A Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Triumph TR4A fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Triumph TR4A Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Triumph TR4A owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Triumph TR4A MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Triumph TR4A year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 64 | 89.1% | 34,122 | 55,990 | 63,580 |
| 1997 | 117 | 78.6% | 10,993 | 52,730 | 68,417 |
| 1996 | 76 | 78.9% | 18,972 | 55,973 | 87,172 |
| 1995 | 69 | 84.1% | 17,330 | 68,738 | 81,316 |
| 1994 | 175 | 80.0% | 11,068 | 61,080 | 76,624 |
| 1993 | 66 | 93.9% | 4,932 | 9,236 | 13,340 |
| 1992 | 149 | 86.6% | 14,330 | 20,334 | 30,137 |
| 1991 | 158 | 83.5% | 9,994 | 41,474 | 63,212 |
| 1990 | 173 | 87.3% | 22,007 | 46,667 | 58,747 |
| 1989 | 118 | 78.8% | 10,954 | 28,512 | 61,306 |
| 1988 | 72 | 88.9% | 9,291 | 33,035 | 92,356 |
| 1987 | 68 | 83.8% | 16,442 | 50,712 | 55,410 |
| 1983 | 58 | 87.9% | 19,863 | 80,734 | 88,210 |
| 1982 | 50 | 76.0% | 2,946 | 6,184 | 79,118 |
| 1980 | 59 | 84.7% | 9,541 | 10,434 | 77,550 |
| 1979 | 85 | 85.9% | 21,289 | 29,306 | 37,992 |
| 1978 | 84 | 73.8% | 21,246 | 53,529 | 83,694 |
| 1969 | 51 | 98.0% | 21,032 | 30,158 | 37,920 |
| 1968 | 235 | 80.0% | 8,888 | 16,098 | 52,279 |
| 1967 | 3,649 | 82.5% | 17,519 | 38,162 | 69,254 |
How Long Does a Triumph TR4A Last?
Based on 999 Triumph TR4A vehicles on UK roads.
Triumph TR4A Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Triumph TR4A 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 TR4A
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
98.0% MOT pass rate from 51 tests
73.8% MOT pass rate from 84 tests
The best year to buy a used Triumph TR4A is 1969, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 98.0% across 51 tests. The 1978 model year has the lowest pass rate at 73.8% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Triumph TR4A Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Triumph TR4A THIS CAR | 82.6% | 11,256 | 34,264 mi | 61 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 |
| Ford Fiesta Zetec 82 | 81.4% | 5,448 | 81,104 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Triumph Bonneville (90.1% pass rate) and the Triumph Tiger (90.6% pass rate), the Triumph TR4A trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Triumph TR4A 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 TR4AShould you buy a used Triumph TR4A?
The Triumph TR4A has an overall MOT pass rate of 82.6% across 11,256 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 TR4A are parking brake: efficiency below requirements (378 recorded failures), windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (225), and horn not working (183). 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 TR4A owner drives around 426 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 TR4A models stay on UK roads for around 61 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.