TRIUMPH SPEED TWIN

500cc Petrol Class 2

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

91.3%

first-time pass rate

2.8%

failed outright

6,816

median miles at test

2,827

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2005–2025

The SPEED TWIN's first-time pass rate has fallen 1.5 points since 2005, 91.5% to 90.0%.

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage SPEED TWIN passes first time 91.1% of the time; by 50k that's 92.6%.

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 SPEED TWIN

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	37	27.8	0.2×
steering and suspension	30	22.6	0.3×
lamps and reflectors	17	12.8	0.2×
brakes	16	12	0.1×
tyres and wheels	13	9.8	0.2×
fuel and exhaust	5	3.8	0.2×
Identification of the vehicle	4	3	0.6×
body and structure	4	3	0.2×
structure and attachments	4	3	0.2×
tyres	3	2.3	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 SPEED TWIN 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 SUZUKI SV650S 80.6% pass · 84.6k 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 SPEED TWIN.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1954 (98.5% pass). Weakest: 1957 (85.7%).

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 SPEED TWIN FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the TRIUMPH SPEED TWIN reliable?

The TRIUMPH SPEED TWIN is more reliable than average for its class: 91.3% of its 2,827 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #618 of 5426 models.

What does a SPEED TWIN fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 28% of all defects recorded against failed SPEED TWIN tests.

What is the best year of SPEED TWIN to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1954-registered examples do best (98.5%) and 1957 worst (85.7%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a SPEED TWIN last?

The median SPEED TWIN shows 6,816 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 92.6% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.