BIKERELIABILITY
MOT DATA · GREAT BRITAIN · 2005–2025
League table/ TRIUMPH/ROCKET 3 R
Model report · 2005–2025

TRIUMPH ROCKET 3 R

2458cc Petrol Class 2
94.0%
first-time pass rate
2.4%
failed outright
5,477
median miles at test
822
MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2023–2025

The ROCKET 3 R's first-time pass rate has risen 4.4 points since 2023, 90.5% to 94.9%.

89%93%98%2023: 90.5% pass (241 tests)2024: 96.2% pass (236 tests)2025: 94.9% pass (336 tests)20232025

What fails on a ROCKET 3 R

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded
Component group Share of defects Defects % of defects vs all bikes
brakes
17 43.6 0.3×
lamps and reflectors
10 25.6 0.6×
Identification of the vehicle
4 10.3 2.1×
tyres
4 10.3 0.5×
audible warning (Horn)
2 5.1 1.3×
suspension
2 5.1 0.3×

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 ROCKET 3 R beats 2 of its 2 closest rivals (TRIUMPH ROCKET III, TRIUMPH ROCKET 111).

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 ROCKET 3 R.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2020 (94.2% pass). Weakest: 2022 (91.9%).

91%93%95%2020: 94.2% pass (599 tests)2021: 94.0% pass (116 tests)2022: 91.9% pass (74 tests)202020212022

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 ROCKET 3 R FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the TRIUMPH ROCKET 3 R reliable?

The TRIUMPH ROCKET 3 R is more reliable than average for its class: 94.0% of its 822 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #172 of 5426 models.

What does a ROCKET 3 R fail its MOT on most?

brakes — 44% of all defects recorded against failed ROCKET 3 R tests.

What is the best year of ROCKET 3 R to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2020-registered examples do best (94.2%) and 2022 worst (91.9%). Condition and history still trump the year.