2004 Triumph Daytona 0.6L Petrol · LX04 JVE

A twenty-two year old motorcycle with only 27,857 miles on the clock presents a record dominated by the testing pattern rather than a dense history of component failures, with just two MOT failures recorded across the eight tests on file, and the most recent pass on 15 June 2026 carrying no advisories or defects. The 2026 pass is particularly significant given the eleven year gap between it and the previous recorded test in September 2015, indicating the vehicle was either off the road for an extended period or operated under MOT exemption rules that applied prior to the 2012/2013 change in testing thresholds for older motorcycles. The two recorded defects both involved lighting and electrical items, with a headlamp bulb failure on both dipped and main beam on 18 March 2013, and on 4 March 2011 there was a mixed failure covering a front direction indicator flashing too rapidly, headlamp aim too low, a rear brake disc excessively worn, and an excessively loose drive chain. Both failures were resolved the following month or shortly afterwards, and since 2015 the record contains no further recorded defects, suggesting the more recent state of roadworthiness has been stable. The mileage profile of 27,857 miles over twenty-two years equates to approximately 1,266 miles per year, which is notably low for a motorcycle and points strongly towards extended storage periods interspersed with occasional use rather than regular riding. The 2015 test would have been conducted when the motorcycle was eleven years old, by which time it had accumulated its mileage to date, and the additional eleven years to the 2026 test with the odometer unchanged confirms the bike has either been largely off the road or has not been subjected to MOT testing during that intervening decade. Low annual mileage on a motorcycle of this age raises legitimate mechanical concerns around seals, hoses, fuel system components, brake calipers, and electrical connections all suffering from prolonged standing, as well as tyre degradation from age-related rubber perishing regardless of tread depth, and corrosion setting into frame and fastener threads from infrequent use. For a prospective buyer inspecting this 2004 Triumph Daytona, particular attention should be paid to the braking system given the historical flagging of an excessively worn rear brake disc in 2011, as the caliper, pads, and disc condition should be physically inspected for corrosion pitting, binding, and uneven wear given the long lay-up periods likely since then. The drive chain flagged as excessively loose in 2011 should also be re-examined for both tension and condition, as a chain and sprocket set fitted in 2011 may have reached its operational lifespan and should show consistent stretch across both upper and lower runs with intact rubber O-ring seals where applicable. Lighting and electrical components warrant a full function check, as the 2011 and 2013 failures show that headlamp bulbs, aim, and indicator flasher units have historically been weak points, and any corrosion in the multi-plug connectors from prolonged standing could cause intermittent faults not always apparent during a brief inspection. On a test ride, the buyer should listen for irregular engine note or misfires indicative of stale fuel or fouled plugs from standing, check that the front and rear brake levers build firm pressure without sponginess or excessive lever travel, feel for any clunks from the front forks or suspension linkages over uneven surfaces given the age, and confirm that the steering moves smoothly without notchiness suggesting bearing deterioration. It is also worth noting that the official MOT record contains no advisories whatsoever across any test, which means there is no DVSA documented evidence of emerging wear items such as tyre condition approaching legal limits, exhaust deterioration, or corrosion advisories, but equally the long gaps between tests mean items that would normally have been flagged as advisories on a more frequently ridden machine may not have been captured. A pre-purchase inspection by a Triumph specialist or motorcycle mechanic with access to a ramp is therefore strongly advisable to physically examine the forks, wheel bearings, swingarm pivot, electrical system, and braking components for the kind of degradation that prolonged low-mileage storage typically produces, particularly any signs of moisture ingress, perished rubber, or seized components that would not necessarily cause an immediate MOT failure but could affect reliability and safety in everyday use.