Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2021 Triumph Bonneville T120?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2021 Triumph Bonneville T120?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2021 Triumph Bonneville T120?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

Is the 2021 Triumph Bonneville T120 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 186 vehicles, the 2021 Triumph Bonneville T120 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 94%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2021 Triumph Bonneville T120?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Triumph Bonneville T120 (2021)

186 real MOT outcomes analysed • 94% first-time pass rate

2021 Triumph Bonneville T120

CarHunch analysed 186 real MOT records for the 2021 Triumph Bonneville T120. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution MOT Averages Compare Models

The 2021 Triumph Bonneville T120 is a strong performer, with a 90% first-time pass rate that sits 10 percentage points above the UK average—this is a genuinely reliable bike. Dangerous defects are rare at just 3.2% of the cohort, so safety concerns aren't a red flag here.

These machines are still relatively young with a median mileage of just under 4,000 miles, so you're looking at lightly used examples that show minimal wear patterns. The low failure and advisory counts (0.17 and 0.3 per vehicle respectively) suggest that when they do need work, it's minor; before buying, ask the seller for service history to confirm the engine and gearbox have been properly maintained, since these are what matters most on a modern retro cruiser.

We have limited data for the 2021 Triumph Bonneville T120 — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

First-time pass

94%

UK average ~80%

Better than average

Dangerous (ever)

3.2%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.17

Over 1.9 tests on record

Low

Typical mileage

Middle half: 2k–6k

For context

These stats describe 186 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

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See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 186 Triumph Bonneville T120 cars.

Before you buy a 2021 Triumph Bonneville T120

Based on MOT data from 186 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 3.2% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (99%)	184	93.9%	0.17

Mileage Distribution

Most 2021 Triumph Bonneville T120 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

3,995

typical

2,387

low mileage

6,142

high mileage

Half of all 2021 Triumph Bonneville T120 vehicles fall between 2,387 and 6,142 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 2,387 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 2,387–6,142 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2021 Triumph Bonneville T120s sit.

⚠ Over 8,291 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

MOT History Averages

1.9

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.17

Avg failures per vehicle

0.3

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Triumph Bonneville T120: All Bonneville T120 years → Which year to buy? →

2022 2023 2024 2025

Or browse all models: Triumph →

Compare with another model

See how the 2021 Triumph Bonneville T120 stacks up against a rival.

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