TRIUMPH TR6

650cc Petrol Class 2

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

89.7%

first-time pass rate

3.5%

failed outright

8,776

median miles at test

4,376

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The TR6's first-time pass rate has risen 1.4 points since 2005, 95.5% to 96.9%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the TR6's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage TR6 passes first time 90.3% of the time; by 50k that's 84.9%.

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 TR6

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	141	43.4	0.5×
steering and suspension	76	23.4	0.4×
brakes	37	11.4	0.1×
tyres and wheels	37	11.4	0.4×
driving controls	10	3.1	0.8×
fuel and exhaust	8	2.5	0.2×
drive system	8	2.5	0.3×
body and structure	5	1.5	0.2×
suspension	2	0.6	—
lamps and reflectors	1	0.3	—

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 TR6 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 TR6.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1962 (94.7% pass). Weakest: 1973 (84.8%).

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 TR6 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the TRIUMPH TR6 reliable?

The TRIUMPH TR6 is more reliable than average for its class: 89.7% of its 4,376 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1047 of 5426 models.

What does a TR6 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 43% of all defects recorded against failed TR6 tests.

What is the best year of TR6 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1962-registered examples do best (94.7%) and 1973 worst (84.8%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a TR6 last?

The median TR6 shows 8,776 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 84.9% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.