TRIUMPH T20

199cc Petrol Class 1

#1575 of 5426 overall #109 of 175 TRIUMPHs #959 of 2787 other bikes

88.1%

first-time pass rate

3.7%

failed outright

8,070

median miles at test

901

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2017

The T20's first-time pass rate has risen 6.8 points since 2006, 87.5% to 94.3%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the T20's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 73.4%

A low-mileage T20 passes first time 85.8% of the time; by 30k that's 92.2%.

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 T20

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	21	31.3	0.4×
steering and suspension	21	31.3	0.6×
brakes	10	14.9	0.2×
tyres and wheels	6	9	0.3×
driving controls	2	3	0.9×
body and structure	2	3	0.5×
drive system	2	3	0.3×
fuel and exhaust	2	3	0.3×
Items Not Tested	1	1.5	1.2×

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 T20 beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (YAMAHA YP250, YAMAHA WR250F, HONDA XR250).

YAMAHA YP250 82.5% pass · 12.4k tests YAMAHA WR250F 78.0% pass · 10.5k tests HONDA XR250 78.8% pass · 9,277 tests HONDA CBF250 84.9% pass · 7,536 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 T20.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1966 (94.1% pass). Weakest: 1967 (84.4%).

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 T20 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the TRIUMPH T20 reliable?

The TRIUMPH T20 is more reliable than average for its class: 88.1% of its 901 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 73.4%. That ranks it #1575 of 5426 models.

What does a T20 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 31% of all defects recorded against failed T20 tests.

What is the best year of T20 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1966-registered examples do best (94.1%) and 1967 worst (84.4%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a T20 last?

The median T20 shows 8,070 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 92.2% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.