Triumph Speed Triple (1998)
1998 Triumph Speed Triple
CarHunch analysed 134 real MOT records for the 1998 Triumph Speed Triple. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1998 Speed Triple passes its MOT slightly above the UK average at 82.5%, and dangerous defects are relatively uncommon at 15.7%—a reassuring sign for a bike now 26 years old. However, the median Carhunch score of 50 reflects the reality that age and wear are catching up: these machines average 2.1 failures and 7.4 advisories per test, suggesting componentwise deterioration is the norm rather than the exception.
At 20,000 miles median, these bikes are ridden moderately rather than thrashed, which helps explain the respectable pass rate—but that also means high-mileage examples will likely need targeted work. If you're considering one, prioritise a pre-purchase inspection focusing on the fuel system, exhaust, and brake components, which typically drive the advisory list on air-cooled British twins of this generation.
What to check before buying a 1998 Triumph Speed Triple
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 Speed Triple
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Mileage Distribution
Most 1998 Triumph Speed Triple 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 1998 Triumph Speed Triple vehicles fall between 14,938 and 29,342 miles.
1998 Triumph Speed Triple — Still on the Road
33 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 55% 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.
MOT History Averages
Found a specific Triumph Speed Triple?
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