Triumph Thunderbird (2002)
2002 Triumph Thunderbird
CarHunch analysed 318 real MOT records for the 2002 Triumph Thunderbird. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2002 Triumph Thunderbird passes its MOT first time in 88.1% of cases—well above the UK average of 80%—and dangerous defects are rare at just 9.4% of vehicles ever affected, making it a genuinely reliable choice for a 20-year-old bike. These are petrol-only machines, and they're holding up impressively across the board at that pass rate.
At just over 11,000 miles median mileage, these Thunderbirds have typically been ridden gently and stored carefully, which explains the strong MOT performance. Expect around 1.3 failures and 3.6 advisories per test, suggesting minor wear rather than structural problems—but do budget for routine maintenance and always check the full MOT history before purchase to spot any individual bike that's been neglected.
What to check before buying a 2002 Triumph Thunderbird
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 Thunderbird
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (99%) | 316 | 88% | 1.31 |
| Other (1%) | 2 | 100% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2002 Triumph Thunderbird 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 2002 Triumph Thunderbird vehicles fall between 6,325 and 17,693 miles.
2002 Triumph Thunderbird — Still on the Road
151 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 76% 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
Most Common MOT Issues — 2002 Triumph Thunderbird
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
-
51.9%
Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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38.9%
Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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20.8%
Rear Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit
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16.4%
Exhaust noisy
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13.4%
Front Roller brake test indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort
-
12.7%
Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
12.4%
Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
12.3%
Front Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2002. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Triumph Thunderbird?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.