Triumph 1500 vs Triumph Merlin: 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 Merlin
83%
MOT pass rate · 1 vehicles
Verdict: On MOT pass rate the Triumph 1500 (74%) and Triumph Merlin (83%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.
Head to head
| Measure | Triumph 1500 | Triumph Merlin |
|---|---|---|
| MOT pass rate | 74% | 83% ✓ |
| MOT failure rate | 26% | 17% ✓ |
| Faults & advisories per test | 2.3 | 1.8 ✓ |
| Dangerous-fault share | 0% | 0% |
| Average mileage | 58,068 mi | 37,644 mi |
| Sample size (vehicles) | 37,142 | 1 |
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 Merlin
- Offside Rear Outer Leaf spring has slight side play at eye (shackle) (2.4.B.4)
- Offside Rear play in bush
- Nearside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))
- Offside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))
- Nearside Front Lower Front suspension has slight movement at a suspension ball joint (2.5.A.1c)
- Battery insecure (1.9.1)
Reliability FAQ
On MOT pass rate the Triumph 1500 (74%) and Triumph Merlin (83%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.
Full Triumph 1500 report Full Triumph Merlin 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.