Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2004 Triumph Rocket Iii?

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 2004 Triumph Rocket Iii?

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 2004 Triumph Rocket Iii?

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 2004 Triumph Rocket Iii reliable?

Based on MOT data from 246 vehicles, the 2004 Triumph Rocket Iii has a first-time MOT pass rate of 89.7%, 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 2004 Triumph Rocket Iii?

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 Rocket Iii (2004)

246 real MOT outcomes analysed • 89.7% first-time pass rate

2004 Triumph Rocket Iii

CarHunch analysed 246 real MOT records for the 2004 Triumph Rocket Iii. 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 Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2004 Triumph Rocket III is a genuinely reliable machine: it passes MOT first time 89.7% of the time, nearly 10 points above the UK average of 80%, and only 12.6% have ever recorded a dangerous defect—well below the threshold for concern. With a median mileage of just 14,636 miles for a 20-year-old bike, these are clearly cherished machines, which partly explains the strong pass rate.

The average Rocket III picks up 1.57 failures and 5.5 advisories per test, suggesting minor wear items (likely lights, cables, or cosmetic trim) rather than structural problems. If you're considering one, get a pre-purchase inspection focused on fluids and the cooling system, but these bikes hold up remarkably well with basic care.

We have limited data for the 2004 Triumph Rocket Iii — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

⚠️ 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

89.7%

UK average ~80%

Better than average

Dangerous (ever)

12.6%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

1.57

Over 13.6 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

15k

Middle half: 8k–21k

For context

These stats describe 246 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 246 Triumph Rocket Iii cars.

Before you buy a 2004 Triumph Rocket Iii

Based on MOT data from 246 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 12.6% 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 (100%)	245	89.6%	1.58

Colour Breakdown

Based on 1,531 Triumph Rocket Iii vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Black 55.5%

850

Red 21.6%

330

Blue 12.7%

194

Grey 2.6%

Orange 2.2%

Yellow 1.8%

Silver 1.4%

White 0.8%

Maroon 0.8%

Green 0.4%

Purple 0.3%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2004 Triumph Rocket Iii 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.

14,636

typical

8,484

low mileage

21,033

high mileage

Half of all 2004 Triumph Rocket Iii vehicles fall between 8,484 and 21,033 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 8,484 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.

✓ 8,484–21,033 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2004 Triumph Rocket Iiis sit.

⚠ Over 28,394 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 Rocket Iii — Still on the Road

Most 2004 Triumph Rocket Iiis are still being driven.

118 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 74% of the peak remain.

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

13.6

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

1.57

Avg failures per vehicle

5.5

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Triumph Rocket Iii: All Rocket Iii years → Which year to buy? →

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Or browse all models: Triumph →

Compare with another model

See how the 2004 Triumph Rocket Iii stacks up against a rival.

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