BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
Head-to-head · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

Indian Motorcycle Scout Bobber vs Triumph Bonneville

The Indian Motorcycle Scout Bobber passes its MOT first time more often than the Triumph Bonneville: 90.2% vs 89.0%, a 1.2-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
Metric Indian Motorcycle Scout Bobber Triumph Bonneville
First-time pass rate 90.2% 89.0%
Outright fail rate 4.0% 5.0%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) +0.8 pts +1.6 pts
Engine size 1,133cc 865cc
Rank among all models #884 of 5428 #1269 of 5428
Median miles at test 3,985 7,619
MOT tests analysed 1,836 195,256
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

share of each bike's MOT tests that failed on the component · lower is better
Component Indian Motorcycle Scout Bobber Triumph Bonneville
Lights & signalling 1.9% 1.9%
Brakes 0.4% 1.9%
Tyres & wheels 0.4% 1.1%
Steering & suspension 0.5% 0.7%
Structure & body 0.7% 0.5%
Fuel & exhaust 0% 0.3%
Drive system 0% 0.1%

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

first-time MOT pass rate in each calendar year both bikes were tested
Test year Indian Motorcycle Scout Bobber Triumph Bonneville
2021 92.8% 89.6%
2022 88.0% 89.4%
2023 89.9% 90.1%
2024 90.5% 90.6%
2025 90.7% 91.0%

Each year mixes bikes of different ages, so a fleet that is getting older tends to slip.

Pass rate by mileage

first-time MOT pass rate by miles on the clock at test
Mileage Indian Motorcycle Scout Bobber Triumph Bonneville
0k-10k miles 90.9% 90.6%
10k-20k miles 86.2% 86.8%

Bands with fewer than 30 tests for either bike are left out.

Indian Motorcycle Scout Bobber vs Triumph Bonneville FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Indian Motorcycle Scout Bobber or the Triumph Bonneville?

The Indian Motorcycle Scout Bobber passes its MOT first time more often than the Triumph Bonneville: 90.2% vs 89.0%, a 1.2-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class the two are level (+0.8 vs +1.6 points against comparable bikes), so the raw gap is mostly down to how old and how used each fleet is. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Indian Motorcycle Scout Bobber fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 1.9% of Indian Motorcycle Scout Bobber MOT tests failed on it, then structure & body (0.7%).

What does the Triumph Bonneville fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 1.9% of Triumph Bonneville MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (1.9%).

See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.