TRIUMPH S

675cc Petrol Class 2

#1400 of 5426 overall #101 of 175 TRIUMPHs #854 of 2787 other bikes

88.6%

first-time pass rate

5.1%

failed outright

9,159

median miles at test

26.8k

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2016–2025

The S's first-time pass rate has risen 2.4 points since 2016, 86.6% to 89.0%.

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage S passes first time 90.9% of the time; by 50k that's 77.6%.

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 S

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lamps and reflectors	730	31.8	1.3×
brakes	393	17.1	0.3×
tyres	240	10.5	1.2×
steering	212	9.2	1.8×
structure and attachments	203	8.8	0.9×
Identification of the vehicle	149	6.5	2.4×
lighting and signalling	128	5.6	0.1×
audible warning (Horn)	95	4.1	1.9×
suspension	93	4.1	0.4×
steering and suspension	53	2.3	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 S 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 S.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2017 (92.0% pass). Weakest: 2011 (83.1%).

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 S FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the TRIUMPH S reliable?

The TRIUMPH S is more reliable than average for its class: 88.6% of its 26,757 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1400 of 5426 models.

What does a S fail its MOT on most?

lamps and reflectors — 32% of all defects recorded against failed S tests.

What is the best year of S to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2017-registered examples do best (92.0%) and 2011 worst (83.1%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a S last?

The median S shows 9,159 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 77.6% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.