Model report · 2005–2025
TRIUMPH T509
885cc
Petrol
Class 2
82.1%
first-time pass rate
9.5%
failed outright
29,012
median miles at test
179
MOT tests, 2005–2025
What fails on a T509
failure defects by component group · advisories excluded
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects |
|---|---|---|---|
| brakes |
|
12 | 34.3 |
| lighting and signalling |
|
10 | 28.6 |
| steering and suspension |
|
7 | 20 |
| tyres and wheels |
|
3 | 8.6 |
| body and structure |
|
2 | 5.7 |
| drive system |
|
1 | 2.9 |
Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects.
How rivals compare
same type, similar capacity, high test volume
On first-time pass rate the T509 beats 1 of its 4 closest rivals (BMW R1150, TRIUMPH SPRINT, HONDA VFR800 FI).
BMW
R1150
88.5% pass · 171k tests
TRIUMPH
SPRINT
85.6% pass · 133k tests
HONDA
VFR800 FI
86.7% pass · 89.4k tests
KAWASAKI
ZX-9R
80.7% pass · 89.0k 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 T509.
Pass rate by registration year
how each model-year cohort fares · registration year from first use date
Best year to buy used: 1997 (83.6% pass). Weakest: 1997 (83.6%).
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.