Triumph common problems and MOT failures
From 136,994 MOT tests in 2024, 5.8% of Triumph vehicles failed. Below are the most common reasons, ranked by how often they occur.
Top Triumph MOT failure reasons
| # | Problem | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely | 750 |
| 2 | tyre tread depth outside legal limits | 737 |
| 3 | brake lining or pad worn below 1.0mm | 692 |
| 4 | significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake | 592 |
| 5 | the aim of a headlamp is not within limits the requirements | 493 |
| 6 | direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 424 |
| 7 | excessive fluctuation in brake effort through each wheel revolution | 424 |
| 8 | number plate does not conform to the specified requirements | 388 |
| 9 | audible warning not working | 357 |
| 10 | stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 347 |
What this means if you're buying a Triumph
The single most common MOT failure for Triumph is shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely, accounting for 14% of all failure items.
These figures are from real MOT inspections — they show what testers actually find wrong with Triumph vehicles. If you're viewing a used Triumph, it's worth checking these areas specifically.
Buying a specific Triumph? Check the individual vehicle's MOT history for free on GOV.UK to see its actual test results, advisories, and mileage readings.
Check MOT history on GOV.UK