Used buying checklist
Triumph Street Triple reliability, common problems and used buying checks
A used Triumph Street Triple looks better than average for reliability in UK MOT data: 6.3% of 2,805 tests failed, compared with 18.7% across all indexed models. A good example should have a clean MOT history for brakes, lights and electrical, and emissions, engine, and exhaust.
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for brakes, lights and electrical, and emissions, engine, and exhaust.
Start with brakes, lights and electrical, and emissions, engine, and exhaust, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.
Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). MOT data does not capture every reliability issue, especially intermittent engine, gearbox or infotainment faults that do not appear during the test.
- 6.3% MOT failure rate
- Median tested mileage 15,921 miles
- 178 failed MOT tests analysed
Brakes is the clearest area to check
Brakes is the clearest named problem area in this model's MOT history (4.8 MOT notes per 100 tests). Example MOT phrases from this area include indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort, remains on when the brakes are released, and is so short that the brake cannot be readily applied.
Example MOT phrases to search in the car's history:
- indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort
- remains on when the brakes are released
- is so short that the brake cannot be readily applied
- is bent and the brake cannot be readily applied
- lens slightly defective
- does not illuminate simultaneously with the position lamp(s)
- inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps
- missing in the case of a single lamp or all lamps
- has a major leak of exhaust gases
- fouling on the fuel tank or bodywork on full lock
Focus on brakes, lights and electrical, and emissions, engine, and exhaust
The model's recorded failure rate is 6.3%, -12.4 percentage points compared with the average across all models. Use the seller questions below to check whether repeat MOT notes have actually been repaired.
- MOT tests analysed2,805 tests
- Median tested mileage15,921 miles
- Failed MOT tests178
Should you buy a used Triumph Street Triple?
93.7% of the MOT tests we analysed for this model passed. The model's recorded failure rate is 6.3%, -12.4 percentage points compared with the average across all models. This is a buying brief for the exact car in front of you: clean repeat history matters more than badge reputation.
- Repeat unresolved MOT notes for brakes, lights and electrical, and emissions, engine, and exhaust
- brakes appearing across more than one MOT
- Any dangerous MOT failure on the exact car, especially if the same area appears again later
- No paperwork showing applicable recall work has been completed
- A seller who cannot explain MOT wording such as "indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort"
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for brakes, lights and electrical, and emissions, engine, and exhaust.
Start with brakes, lights and electrical, and emissions, engine, and exhaust, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.
Brakes is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (4.8 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.
Use the mileage table to judge whether the car is being viewed at a lower- or higher-risk mileage.
The MOT failure rate rises from 0.0% at 3-6 years to 8.1% at 15+ years. Compare the car with the nearest age range before treating a fault as normal wear or a warning sign. The average MOT failure rate across all models in the same dataset is 18.7%.
Start with brakes, lights and electrical, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and suspension and steering. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller.
6 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.
What should I check first?
Start with brakes, lights and electrical, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and suspension and steering. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller. Each item shows whether it comes from MOT results, recall notices, or a standard used-car check.
-
Brakes Seen in MOT results
Brakes is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (4.8 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check brake pipe condition, braking balance, handbrake hold, and recent brake work.
-
Lights and electrical Seen in MOT results
Lights and electrical is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (2.6 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check every lamp, warning light, horn, battery condition, and dashboard messages.
-
Emissions, engine, and exhaust Seen in MOT results
Emissions, engine, and exhaust is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (1.0 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check warning lights, smoke, exhaust leaks, recent emissions failures, and service history.
-
Suspension and steering Seen in MOT results
Suspension and steering is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (0.5 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Listen for knocks, check uneven tyre wear, and inspect steering play.
-
Corrosion and structure Seen in MOT results
Corrosion and structure is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (0.1 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Inspect sills, subframes, mounting points, arches, and underside corrosion advisories.
-
Tyres and wheels Seen in MOT results
Tyres and wheels is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (0.1 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check tyre age, tread depth, sidewall damage, wheel condition, and alignment wear.
What changes with mileage?
These are the car areas that show up in MOT records at different mileages.
Common MOT problem areas
Common faults: what usually fails on this model?
Brakes is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (4.8 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.
Recall-related areas to verify
Official recall areas
Manufacturer recall notices for the Triumph Street Triple mainly involve 4 areas: suspension and steering, lights and electrical, brakes, and tyres and wheels. Treat each as something to verify on the specific car you are viewing; the recall table below shows the official notice text.
Mileage and age checks
Mileage changes: what starts showing up after high mileage?
MOT failure rates rise from 6.4% at 0-50k miles to 4.5% at 50-100k miles. Use the mileage table to judge whether the car is being viewed at a lower- or higher-risk mileage.
| Mileage range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-50k | 2,779 | 2,596 | 6.4%-4.5 percentage points vs all models | 15,769 miles |
| 50-100k | 22 | 20 | 4.5%-16.2 percentage points vs all models | 53,880 miles |
Problem areas by mileage
This table shows which car areas and exact MOT phrases appear at each mileage range.
| Mileage range | Car areas most often recorded | Specific MOT defect examples |
|---|---|---|
| 0-50k |
|
|
| 50-100k |
|
|
Fair comparisons: is this problem normal for its age?
The MOT failure rate rises from 0.0% at 3-6 years to 8.1% at 15+ years. Compare the car with the nearest age range before treating a fault as normal wear or a warning sign. The average MOT failure rate across all models in the same dataset is 18.7%. The highest failure rate by age is 8.1% for 15+ years cars, based on 430 tests.
| Age range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3-6 years 2020–2023 reg. |
16 | 14 | 0.0%-10.6 percentage points vs all models | 5.2 years |
| 6-10 years 2016–2020 reg. |
154 | 146 | 5.2%-11.4 percentage points vs all models | 8.8 years |
| 10-15 years 2011–2016 reg. |
2,205 | 2,063 | 6.1%-17.4 percentage points vs all models | 12.7 years |
| 15+ years pre-2011 reg. |
430 | 390 | 8.1%-17.8 percentage points vs all models | 15.4 years |
Recall records and data freshness
Recall context: are there safety notices to know about?
6 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.
| 2018-06-12 | INCORRECTLY SEALED ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS IN LEFT HAND SWITCH CUBE Affected vehicles may have been fitted with an incorrectly sealed left hand switch cube. This may cause the turn signal indicators and headlamp not to function correctly. On affected vehicles fit a newer version switch cube. |
|---|---|
| 2013-07-29 | MACHINE MAY BECOME UNSTABLE The ABS might not operate although no Malfunction Indicator Lamp illuminates. This is due to a non conformity during the manufacturing process. The brakes will function albeit without the ABS capability. Recall the machines that are likely to be affected to replace the modulator unit. |
| 2013-06-10 | LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL The four bolts securing two cable guides located on either side of the main head stock could work loose and restrict the steering movement. Recall the machines that are likely to be affected to fit new bolts that have patchlock applied. |
| 2013-03-20 | ABILITY TO CHANGE GEAR MAY BE AFFECTED AND NEUTRAL INDICATED WITH GEAR SELECTED The instruments may indicate neutral is selected when the machine is in gear which could lead to the machine jumping forward at junctions or the rider changing gear unnecessarily. Additionally a weak detent arm spring could cause poor gear changing necessitating additional time selecting gears. Recall the machines that are likely to be affected to replace the detent arm spring and replace the neutral switch washer. |
| 2013-03-18 | INDICATOR STEM MAY NOT FUNCTION CORRECTLY It has been identified that the material for the front and rear indicator mounting stems have been manufactured from the incorrect material. This can result in the mounting stem failing and in extreme cases could allow the indicator to detach. Recall all affected machines and replace the front and rear indicator mounting stems |
| 2013-02-07 | POSSIBILITY OF LOSS OF CONTROL Premature wheel bearing wear/play can occur as the bearings may not be manufactured to specification. Recall the machines that are likely to be affected to replace the affected wheel bearings. |
Related searches
Common ways people look up the Triumph Street Triple. Each link runs the search and lands on the relevant section of this report.
Related reliability guides
See where this model sits against other Triumph reports by MOT failure rate and common problem area.
Compare high-confidence model reports across all makes.
Use the fleet mileage baseline before checking this model's own mileage table.
Compare this model's age pattern with the wider MOT baseline.
Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). These are patterns from many MOT tests and recall notices. They help you decide what to inspect and what to ask; they do not certify the condition of one specific car.