Triumph S MOT pass rate and common failures
Triumph S motorcycles pass the MOT 88.94% of the time, measured across 3,218 tests in the DVSA record. A further 5.59% passed only after a defect was put right at the test station.
What to check before the MOT
Built from this model's own failure record, not general advice.
- Start with missing - it accounts for 48.3% of failed tests on this model.
- Then check not working and tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, the next two most common reasons.
- The most common advisory is noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motorcycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition (7.7% of all tests) - not a failure, but money you will spend sooner or later.
- Average recorded mileage at test is 14,614 miles, which is the number to compare any advert against.
Pass rate by age
A single pass rate hides the most useful thing in this data: how the same model behaves at three years old and at fifteen.
| Age at test | Pass rate | Tests | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6-10 years | 89.43% | 2,289 | |
| 11-15 years | 87.92% | 919 |
Why the Triumph S fails
Share of failed tests on this model where the item was recorded. One test can fail on several items, so the column does not add up to 100%.
| # | Item | Of failures | Tests | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Missing | 48.3% | 85 | |
| 2 | Not working | 43.8% | 77 | |
| 3 | Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm | 21.6% | 38 | |
| 4 | Too high | 15.9% | 28 | |
| 5 | Does not conform to the specified requirements | 13.1% | 23 | |
| 6 | Excessively stiff or notchy | 10.8% | 19 | |
| 7 | Too low | 10.8% | 19 | |
| 8 | Does not illuminate by the operation of both brake controls | 9.7% | 17 | |
| 9 | Less than 1.0 mm thick | 9.1% | 16 | |
| 10 | Insecure | 6.8% | 12 |
Most common advisories
Not a failure and not a legal requirement to fix - but an advisory that repeats year after year is money the next owner spends.
| # | Item | Of all tests | Tests | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motorcycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition | 7.7% | 247 | |
| 2 | Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm | 5.6% | 181 | |
| 3 | Less than 1.0 mm thick | 4.1% | 133 | |
| 4 | Excessively stiff or notchy | 3.2% | 102 | |
| 5 | Excessively loose | 2.5% | 80 | |
| 6 | Indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort | 2.4% | 77 | |
| 7 | Excessively binding | 1.7% | 55 | |
| 8 | Tread not clearly visible | 1.3% | 43 | |
| 9 | Worn to excess | 0.8% | 25 | |
| 10 | Excessively tight | 0.7% | 21 |
Triumph S for sale
No Triumph S in stock at the moment - 107 other Triumph bikes are advertised.
Similar bikes compared
Models of comparable capacity, so the comparison means something.
| Model | Tests | Pass rate | Avg mileage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Triumph BONNEVILLE 642-904cc · 642-904cc | 12,456 | 90.8% | 12,824 | |
| Honda CB 397-750cc · 397-750cc | 5,400 | 89.76% | 19,444 | |
| Honda NC · 741cc | 5,311 | 89.53% | 22,765 | |
| Suzuki GSF600 · 600cc | 4,890 | 80% | 29,308 | |
| Honda CBR600F · 599cc | 4,710 | 85.56% | 30,651 | |
| Kawasaki ZX-6R · 599-636cc | 4,510 | 81.62% | 26,019 |
Source: DVSA MOT testing data, 2025 · updated Aug 2026 · licence and method