Triumph TR5 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Triumph TR5 car check
Is the Triumph TR5 reliable? We analysed 6,838 real MOT tests across 716 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Triumph TR5? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Triumph TR5 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 TR5.
Triumph TR5 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Triumph TR5. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Triumph TR5 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Triumph TR5 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Triumph TR5 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Triumph TR5 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Triumph TR5 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Triumph TR5 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Triumph TR5 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Triumph TR5 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 51 | 86.3% | 2,727 | 33,814 | 89,316 |
| 1969 | 397 | 84.4% | 14,156 | 26,187 | 62,611 |
| 1968 | 5,124 | 85.9% | 12,833 | 36,892 | 70,674 |
How Long Does a Triumph TR5 Last?
Based on 716 Triumph TR5 vehicles on UK roads.
Triumph TR5 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Triumph TR5 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 TR5
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
86.3% MOT pass rate from 51 tests
84.4% MOT pass rate from 397 tests
The best year to buy a used Triumph TR5 is 1971, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 86.3% across 51 tests. The 1969 model year has the lowest pass rate at 84.4% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Triumph TR5 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Triumph TR5 THIS CAR | 86.1% | 6,838 | 32,851 mi | 58 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 |
| Suzuki Gsxr 750 L1 | 89% | 3,610 | 10,954 mi | 15 yrs |
Compared to the Triumph Bonneville (90.1% pass rate) and the Triumph Tiger (90.6% pass rate), the Triumph TR5 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Triumph TR5 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 TR5Should you buy a used Triumph TR5?
The Triumph TR5 has an overall MOT pass rate of 86.1% across 6,838 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 TR5 are windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (114 recorded failures), parking brake: efficiency below requirements (82), and horn not working (80). 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 TR5 owner drives around 437 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 TR5 models stay on UK roads for around 58 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.