1961 Triumph Thunderbird MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for Thunderbird models manufactured in 1961, based on 243 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
This page shows all Thunderbird cars tested in 1961. Want to see how cars built in 1961 hold up over time?
View 1961 Triumph Thunderbird vintage page → (97.1% current pass rate)1961 Triumph Thunderbird MOT Analysis
The 1961 Triumph Thunderbird has an MOT pass rate of 92.6% based on 243 tests — well above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 18,448 miles on the odometer. With a 7.4% failure rate, the 1961 Thunderbird is rated as "Excellent" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1961 Triumph Thunderbird is Motorcycle lighting and signalling, responsible for 0.4% of failures. Motorcycle lighting and signalling issues are a common cause of MOT failure. Regular inspection and maintenance of these components helps ensure your vehicle passes its MOT. Typical repair costs range from £100–400. Motorcycle tyres and wheels is the second most common issue at 0.4%. Motorcycle brakes follows at 0.4%.
Top failures specific to 1961 models only. The overall Thunderbird page may show different rankings.
What Fails Most
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Motorcycle Lighting And Signalling | 0.4% | 1 |
| 2 | Motorcycle Tyres And Wheels | 0.4% | 1 |
| 3 | Motorcycle Brakes | 0.4% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 18,448 miFor every 10,000 miles driven, this shows what percentage of MOT tests fail for each category. This accounts for how far cars are actually driven, not just raw pass/fail counts.
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| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motorcycle lighting and signalling | 0.22 | 0.4% | 1 |
| Motorcycle tyres and wheels | 0.22 | 0.4% | 1 |
| Motorcycle brakes | 0.22 | 0.4% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1961 Triumph Thunderbird has an MOT pass rate of 92.6% based on 243 tests — well above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 18,448 miles on the odometer. With a 7.4% failure rate, the 1961 Thunderbird is rated as "Excellent" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1961 Triumph Thunderbird, you can expect reliable MOT performance overall. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to motorcycle lighting and signalling: Have this system checked during regular servicing. Look for warning signs like unusual noises, vibrations, or dashboard warning lights. With relatively low average mileage of 18,448 miles, many of these vehicles are still in good mechanical condition.
Motorcycle lighting and signalling — 0.4% of failures
Motorcycle lighting and signalling issues account for 0.4% of MOT failures on 1961 Triumph Thunderbird models. Motorcycle lighting and signalling issues are a common cause of MOT failure. Regular inspection and maintenance of these components helps ensure your vehicle passes its MOT. Typical repair costs: £100–400. Pre-MOT check: Have this system checked during regular servicing. Look for warning signs like unusual noises, vibrations, or dashboard warning lights.
Motorcycle tyres and wheels — 0.4% of failures
Motorcycle tyres and wheels issues account for 0.4% of MOT failures on 1961 Triumph Thunderbird models. Tyre failures include tread depth below the legal minimum of 1.6mm, cuts, bulges, exposed cords, and incorrect tyre pressure. Tyres are one of the most common and easiest-to-prevent MOT failures. Typical repair costs: £50–200 per tyre. Pre-MOT check: Check tread depth with a 20p coin — if the outer band is visible, the tyre is too worn. Look for bulges, cuts, or embedded objects. Ensure all tyres match the recommended size and load rating.
Motorcycle brakes — 0.4% of failures
Motorcycle brakes issues account for 0.4% of MOT failures on 1961 Triumph Thunderbird models. Brake-related failures include worn brake pads, corroded brake discs, leaking brake lines, and faulty brake servos. These are safety-critical components — any brake deficiency will result in an MOT fail. Typical repair costs: £150–400. Pre-MOT check: Listen for squealing or grinding noises. Check brake pedal feel — if it feels spongy or goes to the floor, have the system inspected immediately. Look at brake pad thickness through the wheel spokes (minimum 3mm).
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.