Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
Indian Motorcycle Chief vs Triumph Rocket Iii
The Indian Motorcycle Chief passes its MOT first time more often than the Triumph Rocket Iii: 93.8% vs 88.3%, a 5.5-point lead.
MOT reliability, side by side
| Metric | Indian Motorcycle Chief | Triumph Rocket Iii |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 93.8% | 88.3% |
| Outright fail rate | 3.4% | 6.1% |
| Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) | +5.7 pts | +2.7 pts |
| Engine size | 1,811cc | 2,294cc |
| Rank among all models | #198 of 5428 | #1505 of 5428 |
| Median miles at test | 8,000 | 13,110 |
| MOT tests analysed | 1,096 | 15,488 |
| Most common failure | lamps and reflectors | brakes |
First-time outcomes on normal tests, 2005–2025. "Most common failure" is the component group with the most recorded defects on failed tests. Read pass rates against test counts: a smaller sample is noisier. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results.
"Vs comparable bikes" is the first-time pass rate minus the rate expected for each bike's own mix of age, mileage and test class, in percentage points: positive means better than comparable bikes. How this works.
What fails, side by side
| Component | Indian Motorcycle Chief | Triumph Rocket Iii |
|---|---|---|
| Lights & signalling | 1.6% | 2.3% |
| Tyres & wheels | 0.8% | 2.0% |
| Brakes | 0.3% | 1.8% |
| Steering & suspension | 0.8% | 0.7% |
| Structure & body | 0.5% | 0.2% |
| Fuel & exhaust | 0% | 0.6% |
A test that fails on two components counts once in each. Component links go to the bikes most likely to fail on it.
Pass rate by test year
| Test year | Indian Motorcycle Chief | Triumph Rocket Iii |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 92.7% | 89.2% |
| 2019 | 96.4% | 88.4% |
| 2020 | 96.2% | 88.4% |
| 2021 | 92.9% | 88.5% |
| 2022 | 97.2% | 88.7% |
| 2023 | 93.1% | 89.3% |
| 2024 | 95.9% | 90.7% |
| 2025 | 93.1% | 88.3% |
Each year mixes bikes of different ages, so a fleet that is getting older tends to slip.
Pass rate by mileage
| Mileage | Indian Motorcycle Chief | Triumph Rocket Iii |
|---|---|---|
| 0k-10k miles | 93.9% | 89.2% |
| 10k-20k miles | 93.7% | 88.6% |
| 20k-30k miles | 92.4% | 87.7% |
Bands with fewer than 30 tests for either bike are left out.
Indian Motorcycle Chief vs Triumph Rocket Iii FAQ
Which is more reliable, the Indian Motorcycle Chief or the Triumph Rocket Iii?
The Indian Motorcycle Chief passes its MOT first time more often than the Triumph Rocket Iii: 93.8% vs 88.3%, a 5.5-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Indian Motorcycle Chief still comes out ahead: +5.7 points vs comparable bikes for the Indian Motorcycle Chief, +2.7 for the Triumph Rocket Iii. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.
What does the Indian Motorcycle Chief fail its MOT on most?
Lights & signalling: 1.6% of Indian Motorcycle Chief MOT tests failed on it, then tyres & wheels (0.8%).
What does the Triumph Rocket Iii fail its MOT on most?
Lights & signalling: 2.3% of Triumph Rocket Iii MOT tests failed on it, then tyres & wheels (2.0%).
Which holds up better at high mileage, the Indian Motorcycle Chief or the Triumph Rocket Iii?
At 20k-30k miles the Indian Motorcycle Chief passes first time more often: 92.4% for the Indian Motorcycle Chief vs 87.7% for the Triumph Rocket Iii.
See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.