In the Netherlands
43 first registered in 1981 are on Dutch roads; 60% arrived later as imports.
Most common APK defects
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen9
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld5
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde5
- Slijtage/beschadiging wiellager hoorbaar of voelbaar4
- CO meer dan wettelijk toegestaan3
- Stofhoes fuseekogel beschadigd en dicht niet af2
- Schijf-, trommelrem loopt niet vrij2
- Uitlaatsysteem niet gasdicht / onveilige afvoer uitlaatgasse2
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
444 cars built in 1981 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 447 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 103 of these cars first registered in 1981 took their annual MOT test. 77% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 1981 the figure was 76%.
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In New Zealand
15 1981 cars are on the New Zealand register; 87% arrived as used imports, 13% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Recalls
WIDESPREAD LACK OF UNDERSTANDING ABOUT THE OPERATION OF WEBBING SENSITIVE AND DUAL SENSITIVE SEAT BELTS HAS LEAD TO NON-USE OF BELTS BY A NUMBER OF OWNERS. SOME BELTS RETRACTORS MAY JAM, BIND OR LOCK. THIS MAY DISCOURAGE THE USE OF THE SAFETY BELTS. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: NON-USE OF SEAT BELTS SUBJECTS OCCUPANTS TO RISK OF INJURY IN EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT OR SUDDEN BRAKING.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Triumph told its dealers about the 1981 Triumph TR7: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 10212877 | Triumph has released diagnostic software version 2022-01 |
| 10210482 | Dealer notice announcing the availability of Diagnostic software 2022-02 and dealers should begin using it immediately. |
| 10019987 | TECHNICAL NEWS CONCERNING TRIUMPH MOTORCYCLES. *AK |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)