TRIUMPH T120R

650cc Petrol Class 2

#883 of 5426 overall #67 of 175 TRIUMPHs #537 of 2787 other bikes

90.2%

first-time pass rate

3.3%

failed outright

6,538

median miles at test

1,440

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2018

The T120R's first-time pass rate has fallen 2.4 points since 2006, 95.7% to 93.3%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the T120R's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage T120R passes first time 91.2% of the time; by 30k that's 89.8%.

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 T120R

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	51	45.1	0.5×
steering and suspension	33	29.2	0.6×
brakes	11	9.7	0.2×
tyres and wheels	9	8	0.3×
fuel and exhaust	3	2.7	0.3×
body and structure	3	2.7	0.3×
reg plates and vin	3	2.7	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 T120R 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 T120R.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1961 (92.5% pass). Weakest: 1968 (83.3%).

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 T120R FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the TRIUMPH T120R reliable?

The TRIUMPH T120R is more reliable than average for its class: 90.2% of its 1,440 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #883 of 5426 models.

What does a T120R fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 45% of all defects recorded against failed T120R tests.

What is the best year of T120R to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1961-registered examples do best (92.5%) and 1968 worst (83.3%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a T120R last?

The median T120R shows 6,538 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 89.8% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.