Triumph Bonneville (2012)
2012 Triumph Bonneville
CarHunch analysed 710 real MOT records for the 2012 Triumph Bonneville. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2012 Triumph Bonneville is notably reliable, with a 92.7% first-time pass rate that sits well above the UK average of 80%, and only 13.2% of vehicles ever recorded a dangerous defect. This is a genuinely dependable bike if you find one that's been maintained.
The median mileage of just 6,402 miles suggests these are cherished machines, not daily commuters, which explains the low 0.73 average failures per vehicle. Before buying, check the service history carefully and budget for routine advisory items like fluid checks and wear parts—the 2.2 average advisories per test show that preventative maintenance keeps these machines running strong.
What to check before buying a 2012 Triumph Bonneville
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
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Mileage Distribution
Most 2012 Triumph Bonneville 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.
Half of all 2012 Triumph Bonneville vehicles fall between 3,159 and 10,395 miles.
2012 Triumph Bonneville — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 456 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 82% of the peak.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2015–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2012 Triumph Bonneville
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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29.9%
Exhaust noisy
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21.1%
Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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20%
Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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18%
Exhaust noisy
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17.6%
Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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15.1%
Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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14.3%
Rear Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit
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12.4%
Front Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2012. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Triumph Bonneville?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.