TRIUMPH 3TA

350cc Petrol Class 2

#618 of 5426 overall #44 of 175 TRIUMPHs #376 of 2787 other bikes

91.3%

first-time pass rate

3.5%

failed outright

12,556

median miles at test

3,243

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2005–2018

The 3TA's first-time pass rate has risen 5.3 points since 2005, 91.1% to 96.4%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the 3TA's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage 3TA passes first time 90.4% of the time; by 50k that's 92.9%.

First-time pass rate by odometer reading at test, 10,000-mile bands for this model. Mileage is the strongest reliability signal. See the full curve.

What fails on a 3TA

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	77	31.4	0.4×
steering and suspension	66	26.9	0.5×
brakes	35	14.3	0.2×
tyres and wheels	20	8.2	0.3×
fuel and exhaust	18	7.3	0.7×
driving controls	8	3.3	1.0×
body and structure	8	3.3	0.4×
reg plates and vin	5	2	0.2×
lamps and reflectors	4	1.6	—
drive system	4	1.6	0.2×

Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects. "vs all bikes" is how often this model's tests record a defect in the group, as a multiple of the all-bike rate.

How rivals compare

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the 3TA beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (SUZUKI AN400, SUZUKI DR-Z400S, YAMAHA RD350).

SUZUKI AN400 86.2% pass · 27.1k tests SUZUKI DR-Z400S 80.4% pass · 26.8k tests YAMAHA RD350 86.3% pass · 19.6k tests KAWASAKI ZXR400 73.1% pass · 14.2k tests

Rivals share this bike's type and sit within ±30% of its engine capacity, ≥ 5,000 tests. Card colour = better/worse first-time pass rate than the 3TA.

Pass rate by registration year

how each model-year cohort fares · registration year from first use date

Best year to buy used: 1961 (94.2% pass). Weakest: 1971 (87.4%).

First-time pass rate by the year each bike was first registered (cohorts with ≥ 50 tests). Older cohorts are survivors: the worst examples have already left the road, which tends to lift the earliest years.

TRIUMPH 3TA FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the TRIUMPH 3TA reliable?

The TRIUMPH 3TA is more reliable than average for its class: 91.3% of its 3,243 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #618 of 5426 models.

What does a 3TA fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 31% of all defects recorded against failed 3TA tests.

What is the best year of 3TA to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1961-registered examples do best (94.2%) and 1971 worst (87.4%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a 3TA last?

The median 3TA shows 12,556 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 92.9% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.