Triumph Thunderbird (2015)
2015 Triumph Thunderbird
CarHunch analysed 310 real MOT records for the 2015 Triumph Thunderbird. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2015 Triumph Thunderbird is a genuinely reliable cruiser, with a first-time MOT pass rate of 91.8%—well above the UK average of 80%. Dangerous defects have appeared in 17.4% of vehicles tested, which is reasonable for a bike of this age and doesn't suggest systemic design flaws.
At just over 10,000 miles on average, these machines are lightly used, and the 0.7 failures per vehicle indicates most owners keep them in decent shape. The 2.2 advisories per test suggest routine wear items (belts, fluids, consumables) are typical, so budget for annual maintenance but don't expect major surprises—get a pre-purchase inspection focused on fuel system and electrics to confirm service history.
What to check before buying a 2015 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
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Mileage Distribution
Most 2015 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 2015 Triumph Thunderbird vehicles fall between 5,501 and 13,530 miles.
2015 Triumph Thunderbird — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 243 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 88% of the peak.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2018–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2015 Triumph Thunderbird
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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40%
Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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37.8%
Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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27.3%
Rear Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit
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23.7%
Exhaust noisy
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17%
Front Brake indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort
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15.5%
Rear Brake indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort
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15.1%
Front Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit
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9.6%
Rear Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2015. 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.