Used buying checklist
Triumph Tiger reliability, common problems and used buying checks
A used Triumph Tiger looks better than average for reliability in UK MOT data: 5.3% of 17,848 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.
- 5.3% MOT failure rate
- Median tested mileage 17,121 miles
- 950 failed MOT tests analysed
Brakes is the clearest area to check
Brakes is the clearest named problem area in this model's MOT history (5.7 MOT notes per 100 tests). Example MOT phrases from this area include indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort, is bent and the brake cannot be readily applied, and does not illuminate by the operation of both brake controls.
Example MOT phrases to search in the car's history:
- indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort
- is bent and the brake cannot be readily applied
- does not illuminate by the operation of both brake controls
- is so short that the brake cannot be readily applied
- with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning
- lens slightly defective
- light intensity severely reduced
- adversely affected by the operation of another lamp
- 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 5.3%, -13.4 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 analysed17,848 tests
- Median tested mileage17,121 miles
- Failed MOT tests950
Should you buy a used Triumph Tiger?
94.7% of the MOT tests we analysed for this model passed. The model's recorded failure rate is 5.3%, -13.4 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 (5.7 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.
Past 100k miles on the Triumph Tiger, MOT records most often point to corrosion and structure and emissions, engine, and exhaust.
The MOT failure rate rises from 2.4% at 0-3 years to 8.8% 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 corrosion and structure. 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 corrosion and structure. 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.
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Brakes Seen in MOT results
Brakes is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (5.7 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check brake pipe condition, braking balance, handbrake hold, and recent brake work.
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Lights and electrical Seen in MOT results
Lights and electrical is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (0.6 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check every lamp, warning light, horn, battery condition, and dashboard messages.
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Emissions, engine, and exhaust Seen in MOT results
Emissions, engine, and exhaust is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (0.6 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check warning lights, smoke, exhaust leaks, recent emissions failures, and service history.
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Corrosion and structure Seen in MOT results
Corrosion and structure is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (0.4 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Inspect sills, subframes, mounting points, arches, and underside corrosion advisories.
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Tyres and wheels Seen in MOT results
Tyres and wheels is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (0.2 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check tyre age, tread depth, sidewall damage, wheel condition, and alignment wear.
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Suspension and steering Seen in MOT results
Suspension and steering is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (0.1 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Listen for knocks, check uneven tyre wear, and inspect steering play.
What changes with mileage?
Past 100k miles on the Triumph Tiger, MOT records most often point to corrosion and structure and emissions, engine, and exhaust.
Common MOT problem areas
Common faults: what usually fails on this model?
Brakes is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (5.7 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 Tiger mainly involve 6 areas: emissions, engine, and exhaust, mixed recall notices, suspension and steering, 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?
Past 100k miles on the Triumph Tiger, MOT records most often point to corrosion and structure and emissions, engine, and exhaust. On lower-mileage cars, the most common named areas are brakes, lights and electrical, and emissions, engine, and exhaust.
| Mileage range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-50k | 17,134 | 16,064 | 5.1%-5.7 percentage points vs all models | 16,544 miles |
| 50-100k | 652 | 575 | 10.6%-10.1 percentage points vs all models | 57,265 miles |
| 100-150k | 14 | 13 | 0.0%-26.2 percentage points vs all models | 112,712 miles |
| 150-200k | 2 | 2 | 0.0%-27.3 percentage points vs all models | 171,744 miles |
Problem areas by mileage
Past 100k miles on the Triumph Tiger, MOT records most often point to corrosion and structure and emissions, engine, and exhaust.
| Mileage range | Car areas most often recorded | Specific MOT defect examples |
|---|---|---|
| 0-50k |
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| 50-100k |
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| 100-150k |
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| 150-200k |
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Fair comparisons: is this problem normal for its age?
The MOT failure rate rises from 2.4% at 0-3 years to 8.8% 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 8.8% for 15+ years cars, based on 2,104 tests.
| Age range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-3 years 2023–2026 reg. |
380 | 370 | 2.4%-6.1 percentage points vs all models | 3.0 years |
| 3-6 years 2020–2023 reg. |
5,085 | 4,670 | 4.1%-6.5 percentage points vs all models | 4.9 years |
| 6-10 years 2016–2020 reg. |
7,663 | 7,206 | 5.0%-11.6 percentage points vs all models | 8.0 years |
| 10-15 years 2011–2016 reg. |
2,616 | 2,428 | 6.4%-17.2 percentage points vs all models | 10.9 years |
| 15+ years pre-2011 reg. |
2,104 | 1,901 | 8.8%-17.1 percentage points vs all models | 18.7 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.
| 2014-11-03 | IGNITION MAY FAIL Components within the ECU are incompatible when operating at extremes of tolerance. This condition can cause damage to the injector driver and can lead to the injector being constantly on. The engine will either fail to start or if running the fuel injector circuit can malfunction causing one cylinder to lose power. Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and replace the ECU. |
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| 2014-01-20 | MACHINE WILL CUT OUT The engine may cut out due to the safety shutdown strategy being activated unnecessarily. To prevent this condition occurring the software and calibration for the ECU has been modified. Recall the machines that are likely to be affected to fit a modified ECU. |
| 2013-05-20 | LOSS OF CONTROL On some machines it is possible that the hard brake lines between the ABS modulator to the front brake hose connections located at the headstock could be incorrectly routed and more open to damage. Recall the machines that are likely to be affected to inspect the front brake lines and if found to be incorrectly routed replace the front brake lines. |
| 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 |
| 2011-08-24 | ENGINE MAY STALL It is possible the engine could stall unexpectedly under deceleration. If this happens it could cause the rider to lose control of the machine. Recall all affected machines and install a software up grade to the motorcycle ECU. |
Related searches
Common ways people look up the Triumph Tiger. 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.