1997 Triumph Thunderbird MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for Thunderbird models manufactured in 1997, based on 2,571 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
This page shows all Thunderbird cars tested in 1997. Want to see how cars built in 1997 hold up over time?
View 1997 Triumph Thunderbird vintage page → (87.1% current pass rate)1997 Triumph Thunderbird MOT Analysis
The 1997 Triumph Thunderbird has an MOT pass rate of 85.2% based on 2,571 tests — well above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 18,982 miles on the odometer. With a 14.8% failure rate, the 1997 Thunderbird is rated as "Excellent" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1997 Triumph Thunderbird is Motorcycle lamps and reflectors, responsible for 0.7% of failures. Lighting failures cover all external lights: headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and reflectors. A single blown bulb will cause an MOT fail. This is one of the most preventable failure categories. Typical repair costs range from £5–50. Motorcycle suspension is the second most common issue at 0.4%. Motorcycle tyres follows at 0.2%.
Top failures specific to 1997 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 Lamps And Reflectors | 0.7% | 19 |
| 2 | Motorcycle Suspension | 0.4% | 9 |
| 3 | Motorcycle Tyres | 0.2% | 6 |
| 4 | Identification Of The Vehicle | 0.2% | 6 |
| 5 | Motorcycle Brakes | 0.2% | 6 |
| 6 | Motorcycle Steering | 0.1% | 2 |
| 7 | Motorcycle Structure And Attachments | 0.1% | 2 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 18,982 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 lamps and reflectors | 0.39 | 0.7% | 19 |
| Motorcycle suspension | 0.18 | 0.4% | 9 |
| Motorcycle tyres | 0.12 | 0.2% | 6 |
| Identification of the vehicle | 0.12 | 0.2% | 6 |
| Motorcycle brakes | 0.12 | 0.2% | 6 |
| Motorcycle steering | 0.04 | 0.1% | 2 |
| Motorcycle structure and attachments | 0.04 | 0.1% | 2 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1997 Triumph Thunderbird has an MOT pass rate of 85.2% based on 2,571 tests — well above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 18,982 miles on the odometer. With a 14.8% failure rate, the 1997 Thunderbird is rated as "Excellent" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1997 Triumph Thunderbird, you can expect reliable MOT performance overall. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to motorcycle lamps and reflectors: Walk around the car and check every light — headlights (dipped and main beam), side lights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, hazard lights, reverse light, rear fog light, and number plate lights. Replace any blown bulbs before the test. With relatively low average mileage of 18,982 miles, many of these vehicles are still in good mechanical condition.
Motorcycle lamps and reflectors — 0.7% of failures
Motorcycle lamps and reflectors issues account for 0.7% of MOT failures on 1997 Triumph Thunderbird models. Lighting failures cover all external lights: headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and reflectors. A single blown bulb will cause an MOT fail. This is one of the most preventable failure categories. Typical repair costs: £5–50. Pre-MOT check: Walk around the car and check every light — headlights (dipped and main beam), side lights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, hazard lights, reverse light, rear fog light, and number plate lights. Replace any blown bulbs before the test.
Motorcycle suspension — 0.4% of failures
Motorcycle suspension issues account for 0.4% of MOT failures on 1997 Triumph Thunderbird models. Suspension failures typically involve worn bushes, leaking shock absorbers, broken coil springs, and damaged suspension arms. These affect ride quality, tyre wear, and road holding. Typical repair costs: £200–500. Pre-MOT check: Look for uneven tyre wear, listen for clunking over bumps, and check if the car pulls to one side. A bouncy ride suggests worn shock absorbers. Visually inspect coil springs for cracks.
Motorcycle tyres — 0.2% of failures
Motorcycle tyres issues account for 0.2% of MOT failures on 1997 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.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.