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R338 VWL

1997 Triumph Thunderbird

Red Petrol 885cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires30 Apr 2027
Tests22 (19 pass, 3 fail)
Pass rate86.4%

Mileage

49,016 mi
Last recorded49,016 miles
Recorded on29 Apr 2026
Typical for 1997 Triumph Thunderbird15,292 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Triumph
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationR338 VWL
MakeTriumph
ModelThunderbird
Year1997
ColourRed
Fuel typePetrol
Engine885cc

All premium checks include

50+ data points
Finance Check (Experian) Insurance Write-off Salvage Auction Stolen Check Previous Owners Ex-Taxi, Police, NHS Mileage Anomaly Import / Export Scrapped Check Plate Changes

MOT History

19 pass 3 fail
Pass 29 Apr 2026 49,016 miles
Pass 22 Apr 2025 47,999 miles
Pass 1 May 2024 46,109 miles
Pass 17 Jun 2022 45,913 miles
Pass 12 Jun 2021 45,512 miles
Pass 13 May 2019 45,051 miles
Fail 7 May 2019 44,990 miles

Front Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Pass 21 May 2018 44,286 miles
Pass 17 May 2017 42,637 miles

Front Roller brake test indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort (3.3.A1d)

Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.3(ii))

Fail 9 May 2017 42,619 miles

Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.2.A1f(i))

Front Roller brake test indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort (3.3.A1d)

Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.3(ii))

Pass 19 Apr 2016 41,046 miles

Rear outer brake pad wearing thin

Pass 27 Apr 2015 40,205 miles
Pass 17 Apr 2014 38,916 miles

Front Roller brake test indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort (3.3.A1d)

Pass 10 Apr 2013 36,433 miles
Fail 28 Mar 2012 31,187 miles

Front Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (4.1.3(ii))

Pass 28 Mar 2012 31,187 miles
Pass 6 Apr 2011 28,039 miles

Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.3(ii))

Pass 20 Apr 2010 25,655 miles
Pass 11 Apr 2009 22,886 miles
Pass 24 Apr 2008 22,195 miles
Pass 19 Apr 2007 20,972 miles
Pass 5 Apr 2006 19,022 miles

How Reliable is the Triumph Thunderbird?

Based on 66,789 MOT tests across 6,108 vehicles.

89.1%
Pass Rate
540
Miles/Year
31
Year Lifespan
6,108
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 473
shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 371
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 285
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 249
Roller brake test indicates a binding brake 173
Full Triumph Thunderbird reliability report

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R338 VWL is a 1997 Triumph Thunderbird in Red with a 885cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 22 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 86.4%.

Across all 1997 Triumph Thunderbird models, the average MOT pass rate is 86.7% with a typical mileage of 15,292 miles. This particular vehicle has a lower pass rate than the average for its year, which may indicate maintenance issues worth investigating.

The most common reason a Triumph Thunderbird fails its MOT is tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, accounting for 473 recorded failures. If you're considering buying R338 VWL, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Triumph Thunderbird typically stays on UK roads for around 31 years. At 29 years old, this Triumph Thunderbird is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of R338 VWL?

You can check the full history of R338 VWL by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R338 VWL registered?

R338 VWL is a 1997 Triumph Thunderbird, first registered on 7 October 1997.

Is R338 VWL safe to buy?

The MOT history for R338 VWL shows 22 tests with a 86.4% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R338 VWL have outstanding finance?

Finance checks require a premium vehicle report. This checks against all major UK finance providers to see if there is any outstanding finance on R338 VWL. If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the finance company can repossess it.

No warranty or guarantee of accuracy is provided for any free data on this page. The data guarantee applies only to information obtained through the purchase of a full check.