Triumph Vitesse Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Triumph Vitesse car check
Is the Triumph Vitesse reliable? We analysed 19,131 real MOT tests across 2,177 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Triumph Vitesse? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Triumph Vitesse 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 brake binding. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Triumph Vitesse.
Triumph Vitesse Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Triumph Vitesse. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Triumph Vitesse MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Triumph Vitesse to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Triumph Vitesse Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Triumph Vitesse fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Triumph Vitesse Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Triumph Vitesse owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Triumph Vitesse MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Triumph Vitesse year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 64 | 78.1% | 65,823 | 83,400 | 94,945 |
| 1978 | 57 | 73.7% | 17,078 | 21,466 | 69,773 |
| 1971 | 2,271 | 77.9% | 21,052 | 52,104 | 80,297 |
| 1970 | 3,510 | 78.5% | 18,541 | 48,738 | 77,832 |
| 1969 | 3,636 | 78.5% | 17,929 | 45,716 | 75,046 |
| 1968 | 2,935 | 76.6% | 23,181 | 49,262 | 76,579 |
| 1967 | 3,104 | 78.1% | 17,452 | 43,730 | 76,412 |
| 1966 | 937 | 78.0% | 31,464 | 58,461 | 77,921 |
| 1965 | 688 | 79.4% | 24,366 | 56,919 | 83,443 |
| 1964 | 599 | 78.8% | 26,395 | 52,173 | 78,740 |
| 1963 | 582 | 80.2% | 23,484 | 60,274 | 74,384 |
| 1962 | 304 | 81.9% | 36,030 | 53,708 | 90,598 |
How Long Does a Triumph Vitesse Last?
Based on 2,177 Triumph Vitesse vehicles on UK roads.
Triumph Vitesse Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Triumph Vitesse 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 Vitesse
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
81.9% MOT pass rate from 304 tests
73.7% MOT pass rate from 57 tests
The best year to buy a used Triumph Vitesse is 1962, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 81.9% across 304 tests. The 1978 model year has the lowest pass rate at 73.7% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Triumph Vitesse Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Triumph Vitesse THIS CAR | 78.2% | 19,131 | 49,426 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 |
| Saab 9000 Cs | 64.6% | 33,282 | 130,626 mi | 35 yrs |
Compared to the Triumph Bonneville (90.1% pass rate) and the Triumph Tiger (90.6% pass rate), the Triumph Vitesse trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Triumph Vitesse 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 VitesseShould you buy a used Triumph Vitesse?
The Triumph Vitesse has an overall MOT pass rate of 78.2% across 19,131 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 Vitesse are parking brake: efficiency below requirements (825 recorded failures), windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (566), and brake binding (511). 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 Vitesse owner drives around 343 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 Vitesse 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.