TRIUMPH 6T

650cc Petrol Class 2

#505 of 5426 overall #35 of 175 TRIUMPHs #309 of 2787 other bikes

91.8%

first-time pass rate

2.5%

failed outright

10,858

median miles at test

1,117

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2017

The 6T's first-time pass rate has held steady since 2006 (92.9% → 93.5%).

Pass rate by mileage

how the 6T's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage 6T passes first time 92.3% of the time; by 50k that's 96.7%.

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 6T

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	24	32.9	0.3×
steering and suspension	24	32.9	0.6×
brakes	11	15.1	0.1×
tyres and wheels	8	11	0.3×
fuel and exhaust	2	2.7	0.2×
body and structure	2	2.7	0.4×
reg plates and vin	1	1.4	0.2×
drive system	1	1.4	0.1×

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 6T beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ZX-6R, SUZUKI GSF600, YAMAHA FZS600).

KAWASAKI ZX-6R 78.1% pass · 174k tests SUZUKI GSF600 77.3% pass · 143k tests YAMAHA FZS600 82.6% pass · 137k tests HONDA VFR800 FI 86.7% pass · 89.4k 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 6T.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1958 (96.5% pass). Weakest: 1966 (85.6%).

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 6T FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the TRIUMPH 6T reliable?

The TRIUMPH 6T is more reliable than average for its class: 91.8% of its 1,117 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #505 of 5426 models.

What does a 6T fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 33% of all defects recorded against failed 6T tests.

What is the best year of 6T to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1958-registered examples do best (96.5%) and 1966 worst (85.6%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a 6T last?

The median 6T shows 10,858 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 96.7% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.