Triumph Rocket Classic vs Triumph Rocket 111

The Triumph Rocket Classic passes its MOT first time more often than the Triumph Rocket 111: 89.2% vs 88.4%, a 0.8-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025

Metric	Triumph Rocket Classic	Triumph Rocket 111
First-time pass rate	89.2%	88.4%
Outright fail rate	4.9%	5.9%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+3.6 pts	+3.0 pts
Engine size	2,294cc	2,294cc
Rank among all models	#1212 of 5428	#1478 of 5428
Median miles at test	12,474	13,488
MOT tests analysed	2,157	6,812
Most common failure	brakes	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	Triumph Rocket Classic	Triumph Rocket 111
Lights & signalling	2.2%	2.5%
Tyres & wheels	1.8%	1.9%
Brakes	1.2%	1.8%
Steering & suspension	0.2%	0.8%
Fuel & exhaust	0.5%	0.4%
Structure & body	0.2%	0.2%

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	Triumph Rocket Classic	Triumph Rocket 111
2018	87.2%	86.6%
2019	89.0%	88.4%
2020	93.7%	87.6%
2021	88.9%	86.4%
2022	87.3%	87.3%
2023	94.5%	88.9%
2024	86.6%	92.1%
2025	85.7%	89.2%

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	Triumph Rocket Classic	Triumph Rocket 111
0k-10k miles	89.5%	89.9%
10k-20k miles	89.7%	88.7%
20k-30k miles	88.2%	85.9%
30k-40k miles	86.9%	89.7%
40k-50k miles	89.8%	86.4%

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

Triumph Rocket Classic vs Triumph Rocket 111 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Triumph Rocket Classic or the Triumph Rocket 111?

The Triumph Rocket Classic passes its MOT first time more often than the Triumph Rocket 111: 89.2% vs 88.4%, a 0.8-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class the two are level (+3.6 vs +3.0 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 Triumph Rocket Classic fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 2.2% of Triumph Rocket Classic MOT tests failed on it, then tyres & wheels (1.8%).

What does the Triumph Rocket 111 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 2.5% of Triumph Rocket 111 MOT tests failed on it, then tyres & wheels (1.9%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Triumph Rocket Classic or the Triumph Rocket 111?

At 40k-50k miles the Triumph Rocket Classic passes first time more often: 89.8% for the Triumph Rocket Classic vs 86.4% for the Triumph Rocket 111.

TRIUMPH ROCKET CLASSIC 89.2% pass · 2,157 tests TRIUMPH ROCKET 111 88.4% pass · 6,812 tests

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