TRIUMPH T160

748cc Petrol Class 2

#1047 of 5426 overall #79 of 175 TRIUMPHs #641 of 2787 other bikes

89.7%

first-time pass rate

3.7%

failed outright

15,477

median miles at test

1,002

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The T160's first-time pass rate has fallen 2.6 points since 2006, 92.6% to 90.0%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the T160's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage T160 passes first time 90.1% of the time; by 40k that's 91.3%.

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 T160

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	24	33.8	0.3×
brakes	20	28.2	0.4×
steering and suspension	12	16.9	0.3×
tyres and wheels	5	7	0.3×
drive system	3	4.2	0.4×
fuel and exhaust	2	2.8	0.3×
reg plates and vin	2	2.8	0.2×
body and structure	2	2.8	0.4×
tyres	1	1.4	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 T160 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 TRIUMPH SPRINT 85.6% pass · 133k 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 T160.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1976 (90.9% pass). Weakest: 1977 (85.2%).

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 T160 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the TRIUMPH T160 reliable?

The TRIUMPH T160 is more reliable than average for its class: 89.7% of its 1,002 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1047 of 5426 models.

What does a T160 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 34% of all defects recorded against failed T160 tests.

What is the best year of T160 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1976-registered examples do best (90.9%) and 1977 worst (85.2%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a T160 last?

The median T160 shows 15,477 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 91.3% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.