Triumph Thunderbird (1998)
1998 Triumph Thunderbird
CarHunch analysed 458 real MOT records for the 1998 Triumph Thunderbird.
Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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Moderate sample. 458 vehicles on record. Figures are indicative — the specific vehicle's history matters more than these averages.
The 1998 Triumph Thunderbird passes its MOT first time at 88%, which is comfortably above the UK average of 80%, suggesting these bikes have held up reasonably well over the years. However, 10.9% have recorded dangerous defects at some point, which is worth noting—a pre-purchase inspection by a specialist is sensible.
These Thunderbirds are running at a modest 16,804 miles on average, reasonable for their age, and owners typically face 1.5 failures and 3.9 advisories per test, pointing to minor wear rather than systemic problems. If you're considering one, budget for routine maintenance items flagged in advisories, but the solid pass rate suggests you're not buying into a lemon-prone model.
The 1998 Triumph Thunderbird passes its MOT first time more often than most UK vehicles (89.3% vs ~80% average) — and when it does fail, it's usually something minor and cheap to fix.
These stats describe 458 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.
What tends to go wrong
Across 458 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1998.
See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches
Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 458 Triumph Thunderbird cars.
Before you buy a 1998 Triumph Thunderbird
Based on MOT data from 458 vehicles — here's what to check.
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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. -
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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
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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
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (100%) | 457 | 89.3% | 1.5 |
Colour Breakdown
Based on 6,289 Triumph Thunderbird vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.
Mileage Distribution
Most 1998 Triumph Thunderbird 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.
Half of all 1998 Triumph Thunderbird vehicles fall between 9,134 and 21,465 miles.
1998 Triumph Thunderbird — Still on the Road
Numbers are thinning — 68% of 1998 Triumph Thunderbirds are still active.
186 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
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Compare with another model
See how the 1998 Triumph Thunderbird stacks up against a rival.