BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ TRIUMPH/TRIDENT T160
Model report · 2005–2025

TRIUMPH TRIDENT T160

748cc Petrol Class 2
93.1%
first-time pass rate
3.1%
failed outright
17,175
median miles at test
160
MOT tests, 2005–2025
+7.0pp
vs expected · age & mileage

The pass rate is the MOT first-time pass: a roadworthiness check of the items an MOT covers (brakes, lights, tyres, steering, structure, emissions), not a full mechanical inspection of engine or gearbox internals. It is a reliability signal, not a complete measure of mechanical reliability. What this measures.

“vs expected” adjusts for age, mileage and test class, so a cherished classic and a hard-used commuter are compared fairly. How this works.

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage TRIDENT T160 passes first time 89.8% of the time; by 20k that's 100.0%.

88%94%100%0k: 89.8% pass (49 tests)10k: 97.8% pass (45 tests)20k: 100.0% pass (37 tests)0k10k20k

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 TRIDENT T160

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded
Component group Share of defects Defects % of defects
lighting and signalling
3 37.5
steering and suspension
3 37.5
brakes
2 25

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 TRIDENT T160 beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (TRIUMPH STREET TRIPLE, HONDA CB600 HORNET, TRIUMPH TRIDENT).

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 TRIDENT T160.

Compare with any bike

rival not listed above? pick any model to see it head-to-head with the Trident T160

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1975 (95.1% pass). Weakest: 1975 (95.1%).

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.

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