Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2011 Triumph Tiger 800?

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 2011 Triumph Tiger 800?

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 2011 Triumph Tiger 800?

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 2011 Triumph Tiger 800 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 496 vehicles, the 2011 Triumph Tiger 800 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 93.1%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2011 Triumph Tiger 800?

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 Tiger 800 (2011)

496 real MOT outcomes analysed • 93.1% first-time pass rate

2011 Triumph Tiger 800

CarHunch analysed 496 real MOT records for the 2011 Triumph Tiger 800. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

Moderate sample. 496 vehicles on record. Figures are indicative — the specific vehicle's history matters more than these averages.

The 2011 Triumph Tiger 800 passes its MOT on the first attempt 87.3% of the time, comfortably ahead of the UK average of 80%, which suggests solid overall reliability for a 13-year-old adventure bike. However, 15.3% of these machines have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, so a pre-purchase inspection by a qualified mechanic is worth the investment.

These Tigers show relatively low mileage for their age—a median of 16,746 miles suggests many have been weekend warriors rather than daily commuters—yet they still accumulate an average of 0.74 failures per test, pointing to wear items like brakes, tyres, and suspension that need regular attention. When buying one, ask the seller for full service history and have the cooling system and electrical connectors inspected closely, as these tend to be where the 3.2 average advisories crop up.

The 2011 Triumph Tiger 800 passes its MOT first time at roughly the UK average rate (93.1%) — solid but worth checking this vehicle's history carefully.

⚠️ 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

93.1%

UK average ~80%

Better than average

Dangerous (ever)

15.3%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.74

Over 9.6 tests on record

Moderate

Typical mileage

17k

Middle half: 11k–24k

For context

✅ Good baseline reliability. A 93.1% first-time pass rate puts this well above the UK average — it's a well-sorted vehicle in this age bracket.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 3.2 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 496 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?

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 496 Triumph Tiger 800 cars.

Before you buy a 2011 Triumph Tiger 800

Based on MOT data from 496 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 15.3% 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

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (95%)	473	92.8%	0.78

Colour Breakdown

Based on 895 Triumph Tiger 800 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

White 38.3%

343

Black 34.7%

311

Yellow 17.3%

155

Blue 5.9%

Orange 1.7%

Green 1.3%

Red 0.7%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2011 Triumph Tiger 800 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.

16,746

typical

11,406

low mileage

23,916

high mileage

Half of all 2011 Triumph Tiger 800 vehicles fall between 11,406 and 23,916 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 11,406 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.

✓ 11,406–23,916 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2011 Triumph Tiger 800s sit.

⚠ Over 32,286 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2011 Triumph Tiger 800 — Still on the Road

Most 2011 Triumph Tiger 800s are still being driven.

298 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 73% 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

9.6

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.74

Avg failures per vehicle

3.2

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Triumph Tiger 800: All Tiger 800 years → Which year to buy? →

2012

Or browse all models: Triumph →

Compare with another model

See how the 2011 Triumph Tiger 800 stacks up against a rival.

Average reliability — agree?