Triumph

Triumph Bonneville (2004)

931 real MOT outcomes analysed • 88.9% first-time pass rate

2004 Triumph Bonneville

CarHunch analysed 931 real MOT records for the 2004 Triumph Bonneville. 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 Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2004 Triumph Bonneville passes its MOT first time in 86.5% of cases, a solid 6.5 percentage points above the UK average, suggesting these bikes are generally well-maintained by their owners. However, 16.5% have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, which is worth noting if you're buying used — you'll want a pre-purchase inspection to catch any lurking safety issues.

Most Bonnevilles in this sample show relatively low mileage for their age at around 9,600 miles median, indicating these are likely cherished bikes that don't see daily commuting use. The average vehicle racks up 1.63 failures and 4.9 advisories per test, suggesting wear items like brakes and exhausts are the typical culprits rather than structural problems — so budget for regular maintenance but don't expect major mechanical surprises if the service history is sound.

The 2004 Triumph Bonneville passes its MOT first time at roughly the UK average rate (88.9%) — solid but worth checking this vehicle's history carefully.

⚠️ Around 1 in 8 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.
First-time pass
88.9%
UK average ~80%
Better than average
Dangerous (ever)
16.5%
At least once in MOT history
Check this vehicle
Avg failures / car
1.63
Over 13.5 tests on record
High
Typical mileage
10k
Middle half: 6k–15k
For context
Good baseline reliability. A 88.9% first-time pass rate puts this well above the UK average — it's a well-sorted vehicle in this age bracket.
🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 4.9 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.
🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 931 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.

Average reliability — agree?

What tends to go wrong

Across 931 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Exhaust & emissions 55.7%
Exhaust noisy
Tyre wear 50.8%
Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Rear Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm
Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.
Brake wear 30.8%
Front Roller brake test indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort · Rear Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit · Front Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit · …
Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.
Lighting 25.8%
Drive chain slightly loose · Headlamp aim too high · Wheel alignment slightly misaligned.
Usually cheap to fix. Worth confirming all lights work before collecting.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2004.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 931 Triumph Bonneville cars.

UK

Before you buy a 2004 Triumph Bonneville

Based on MOT data from 931 vehicles — here's what to check.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. 16.5% 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 ClickMechanic
  • 📄 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 carVertical Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Petrol (99%) 924 88.8% 1.65

Colour Breakdown

Based on 30,017 Triumph Bonneville vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Black 38.4%
11,529
Red 19%
5,708
Blue 12.4%
3,728
White 9.2%
2,764
Green 6.3%
1,882
Silver 4.7%
1,410
Grey 3.1%
919
Gold 2.7%
802
Orange 1.9%
557
Maroon 1%
294
Purple 0.7%
225
Multi-colour 0.7%
199

Mileage Distribution

Most 2004 Triumph Bonneville 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.

9,577
typical
5,801
low mileage
14,736
high mileage

Half of all 2004 Triumph Bonneville vehicles fall between 5,801 and 14,736 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?
Under 5,801 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.
5,801–14,736 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2004 Triumph Bonnevilles sit.
Over 19,893 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2004 Triumph Bonneville — Still on the Road

Most 2004 Triumph Bonnevilles are still being driven.

443 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 72% of the peak remain.

614 443 2014 2025

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

13.5
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
1.63
Avg failures per vehicle
4.9
Avg advisories per vehicle
Other model years — Triumph Bonneville: All Bonneville years → Which year to buy? →
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Average reliability — agree?