Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2009 Triumph Thunderbird?

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 Thunderbird?

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 Thunderbird?

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 Thunderbird reliable?

Based on MOT data from 100 vehicles, the 2009 Triumph Thunderbird has a first-time MOT pass rate of 91.2%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2009 Triumph Thunderbird?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2009 Triumph Thunderbird are: Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (75.7% of vehicles), Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (74.9% of vehicles), Rear Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit (52.3% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2009 Triumph Thunderbird?

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 Thunderbird (2009)

100 real MOT outcomes analysed • 91.2% first-time pass rate

2009 Triumph Thunderbird

CarHunch analysed 100 real MOT records for the 2009 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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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Compare Models

The 2009 Triumph Thunderbird passes MOT at 91.2%, well above the UK average of 80%, suggesting these bikes are generally well-maintained and reliable. However, 17% have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, which isn't severe but warrants a pre-purchase inspection of brakes and suspension.

These Thunderbirds show low mileage for their age—a median of just 13,145 miles—indicating many are weekend or leisure riders rather than daily commuters. With an average of 1.15 failures and 4.3 advisories per test, common issues tend to be minor; before buying, get a full service history and have an independent mechanic check the charging system and exhaust condition, as these are typical wear items on air-cooled cruisers.

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

⚠️ Around 1 in 8 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

91.2%

UK average ~80%

Better than average

Dangerous (ever)

17%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

1.15

Over 11.8 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

13k

Middle half: 9k–17k

For context

These stats describe 100 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.

Average reliability — agree?

What tends to go wrong

Across 100 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 75.7%

Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Rear Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Brake wear 52.3%

Rear Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit · Rear Brake indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort · Rear Roller brake test indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Exhaust & emissions 45.5%

Exhaust noisy · Exhaust markings indicating not for road use or similar wording

Suspension & steering 11.9%

Offside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil · Nearside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil · Offside Front shock absorber has light misting of stanchion

Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2009.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 100 Triumph Thunderbird cars.

Before you buy a 2009 Triumph Thunderbird

Based on MOT data from 100 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 17% 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 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.

13,145

typical

9,194

low mileage

17,397

high mileage

Half of all 2009 Triumph Thunderbird vehicles fall between 9,194 and 17,397 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 9,194 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.

✓ 9,194–17,397 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2009 Triumph Thunderbirds sit.

⚠ Over 23,485 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 Thunderbird — Still on the Road

Most 2009 Triumph Thunderbirds are still being driven.

67 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 77% 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

11.8

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

1.15

Avg failures per vehicle

4.3

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

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Or browse all models: Triumph →

Compare with another model

See how the 2009 Triumph Thunderbird stacks up against a rival.

Average reliability — agree?