Triumph Bonneville America 865 (2009)

147 real MOT outcomes analysed • 83.1% first-time pass rate

2009 Triumph Bonneville America 865

CarHunch analysed 147 real MOT records for the 2009 Triumph Bonneville America 865. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

The 2009 Triumph Bonneville America 865 posts an 83.1% first-time pass rate, which edges ahead of the UK average of 80%, suggesting broadly reliable mechanicals for a bike now 15 years old. However, 15% of these machines have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, so a thorough pre-purchase inspection by a Triumph specialist is essential.

At just under 10,000 miles on average, these bikes have seen gentle use relative to their age—typical for cruisers kept for leisure rather than commuting. The 1.18 average failures per MOT and 4.1 advisories point to minor wear items (likely brake fluid, cables, and suspension) rather than systemic issues, so budget for regular maintenance but expect no major surprises if the service history is solid.

Average reliability 3.1% above UK average
83.1%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
8,806
typical mileage
5,728–13,318 middle half
15%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
1.18
avg MOT failures per car
over 11 tests on record

What to check before buying a 2009 Triumph Bonneville America 865

Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
  • 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
  • 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
  • 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.

Before you buy a Triumph Bonneville America 865

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

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Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Petrol (97%) 142 82.7% 1.2
Other (3%) 5 94.3% 0.4

Mileage Distribution

Most 2009 Triumph Bonneville America 865 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

5,728
low mileage
8,806
typical
13,318
high mileage

Half of all 2009 Triumph Bonneville America 865 vehicles fall between 5,728 and 13,318 miles.

2009 Triumph Bonneville America 865 — Still on the Road

Strong survival — 92 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 82% of the peak.

112 92 2014 2025

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.

MOT History Averages

11
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
1.18
Avg failures per vehicle
4.1
Avg advisories per vehicle

Found a specific Triumph Bonneville America 865?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

UK

Other model years — Triumph Bonneville America 865:

2010 2011 2012