Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2009 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 2009 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 2009 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 2009 Triumph Rocket Iii reliable?

Based on MOT data from 156 vehicles, the 2009 Triumph Rocket Iii has a first-time MOT pass rate of 90.4%, 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 2009 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 (2009)

156 real MOT outcomes analysed • 90.4% first-time pass rate

2009 Triumph Rocket Iii

CarHunch analysed 156 real MOT records for the 2009 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 Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Compare Models

The 2009 Triumph Rocket III passes its MOT first time in 90.4% of cases, comfortably above the UK average of 80%, which is a strong reliability signal. Dangerous defects appear in just 10.9% of examples—well below the concern threshold—so safety-critical failures are not a widespread issue with this cohort.

These bikes are running at 13,633 miles on average, which is sensible for a 15-year-old machine, and the low failure rate of 1.16 per vehicle suggests owners are maintaining them reasonably well. The relatively high advisory count of 3.9 per test indicates minor wear items need attention, so budget for consumables like chains, brakes, and seals before buying; have a pre-purchase inspection carried out by a Triumph-familiar mechanic.

We have limited data for the 2009 Triumph Rocket Iii — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

⚠️ About 1 in 12 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

90.4%

UK average ~80%

Better than average

Dangerous (ever)

10.9%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

1.16

Over 11.5 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

12k

Middle half: 7k–18k

For context

These stats describe 156 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 156 Triumph Rocket Iii cars.

Before you buy a 2009 Triumph Rocket Iii

Based on MOT data from 156 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 10.9% 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

Mileage Distribution

Most 2009 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.

11,958

typical

7,288

low mileage

17,910

high mileage

Half of all 2009 Triumph Rocket Iii vehicles fall between 7,288 and 17,910 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 7,288 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.

✓ 7,288–17,910 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2009 Triumph Rocket Iiis sit.

⚠ Over 24,178 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2009 Triumph Rocket Iii — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 68% of 2009 Triumph Rocket Iiis are still active.

91 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 68% 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

11.5

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

1.16

Avg failures per vehicle

3.9

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

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Compare with another model

See how the 2009 Triumph Rocket Iii stacks up against a rival.

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