Triumph T509 Speed Triple (1998)
1998 Triumph T509 Speed Triple
CarHunch analysed 117 real MOT records for the 1998 Triumph T509 Speed Triple. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
This 1998 Speed Triple passes its MOT first time just 63.4% of the time, well below the UK average of 80%, which makes it a genuinely unreliable proposition for a buyer expecting consistency. With 10.3% of vehicles developing dangerous defects, you're looking at a real safety concern—nearly 1 in 10 will develop something that needs urgent attention.
These bikes are running around 23,500 miles on average for their age, which is reasonable, but the real story is the 1.38 average failures and 4.1 advisories per vehicle, suggesting this model suffers from persistent wear-related issues rather than catastrophic flaws. Before committing to one, get an independent pre-purchase inspection focused on the ignition system, fuel delivery, and brake components—the advisories point to these as chronic weak spots.
What to check before buying a 1998 Triumph T509 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 T509 Speed Triple
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (97%) | 114 | 62.9% | 1.4 |
| Other (3%) | 3 | 83.3% | 0.33 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1998 Triumph T509 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 T509 Speed Triple vehicles fall between 16,674 and 32,922 miles.
1998 Triumph T509 Speed Triple — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 22 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (47% of peak).
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 T509 Speed Triple?
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