Triumph 1500 vs Triumph Bonneville 120: reliability comparison
MOT pass rates, common faults and mileage compared from real UK MOT data.
Triumph 1500
74%
MOT pass rate · 37,142 vehicles
Triumph Bonneville 120
89%
MOT pass rate · 10 vehicles
Verdict: On MOT pass rate the Triumph 1500 (74%) and Triumph Bonneville 120 (89%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.
Head to head
| Measure | Triumph 1500 | Triumph Bonneville 120 |
|---|---|---|
| MOT pass rate | 74% | 89% ✓ |
| MOT failure rate | 26% | 11% ✓ |
| Faults & advisories per test | 2.3 | 0.1 ✓ |
| Dangerous-fault share | 0% | 0% |
| Average mileage | 58,068 mi | 4,112 mi |
| Sample size (vehicles) | 37,142 | 10 |
Most common faults
Triumph 1500
- Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)
- Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)
- Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)
- Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)
- Brakes imbalanced across an axle (3.7.B.5b)
- Oil leak
Triumph Bonneville 120
- Headlamp aim too low (1.6)
- Headlamp insecure (1.2.3b)
- Riders seat insecure (6.2.1a)
- Steering headbearing has excessive free play (2.2.2)
- Brake lever has inadequate reserve travel (3.1.3b)
- Exhaust mounting does not fully support the exhaust system (7.1.1.c)
Reliability FAQ
On MOT pass rate the Triumph 1500 (74%) and Triumph Bonneville 120 (89%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.
Full Triumph 1500 report Full Triumph Bonneville 120 report Most reliable cars
Pass rates are computed over completed (pass/fail) MOT tests. Reliability also depends on age, mileage and upkeep — see each model's page for the full picture.