TRIUMPH T120

650cc Petrol Class 2

#657 of 5426 overall #51 of 175 TRIUMPHs #401 of 2787 other bikes

91.1%

first-time pass rate

3.3%

failed outright

8,155

median miles at test

5,037

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2005–2019

The T120's first-time pass rate has fallen 4.0 points since 2005, 98.4% to 94.4%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the T120's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage T120 passes first time 91.1% of the time; by 50k that's 93.7%.

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 T120

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
steering and suspension	104	31.6	0.5×
lighting and signalling	94	28.6	0.3×
brakes	36	10.9	0.1×
tyres and wheels	28	8.5	0.3×
fuel and exhaust	23	7	0.5×
body and structure	18	5.5	0.5×
driving controls	10	3	0.8×
drive system	9	2.7	0.2×
reg plates and vin	5	1.5	0.1×
steering	2	0.6	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 T120 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 T120.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1960 (96.2% pass). Weakest: 1975 (86.0%).

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 T120 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the TRIUMPH T120 reliable?

The TRIUMPH T120 is more reliable than average for its class: 91.1% of its 5,037 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #657 of 5426 models.

What does a T120 fail its MOT on most?

steering and suspension — 32% of all defects recorded against failed T120 tests.

What is the best year of T120 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1960-registered examples do best (96.2%) and 1975 worst (86.0%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a T120 last?

The median T120 shows 8,155 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 93.7% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.