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Aprilia RS Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Aprilia RS car check

Is the Aprilia RS reliable? We analysed 8,913 real MOT tests across 1,527 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 8,913 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
75.6%
Typical Mileage
10,576mi
Annual Mileage
973mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
31yrs

The Aprilia RS is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick and tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Aprilia RS.

Aprilia RS Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Aprilia RS. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Aprilia RS MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Aprilia RS to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

79%
2018
82.5%
2017
77.2%
2016
76.3%
2015
78%
2014
76.9%
2013
77.3%
2012
79.9%
2011
79.6%
2010
76.9%
2009
75%
2008
69.8%
2007
78.5%
2004
79.9%
2003
73.8%
2002
68%
2001
69.9%
2000
73.4%
1999
71.8%
1998
75%
1997

Aprilia RS Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Aprilia RS fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 125
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 121
Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 94
shock absorber has inadequate damping effect. 78

Aprilia RS Common Faults & Problems

These are the most common serious faults found on Aprilia RS models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.

Brake pad(s) less than 1.0 mm thick 158
Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 90

Aprilia RS Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Aprilia RS owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
281 mi/yr
Typical
973 mi/yr
Average
1,580 mi/yr
Heavy usage
2,159 mi/yr

Aprilia RS MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Aprilia RS year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2018 62 79.0% 3,492 5,924 10,729
2017 435 82.5% 5,138 8,154 11,253
2016 1,626 77.2% 4,650 7,965 11,956
2015 1,320 76.3% 5,067 8,637 12,641
2014 984 78.0% 5,264 9,105 13,934
2013 463 76.9% 4,604 8,328 11,508
2012 203 77.3% 4,669 8,586 14,477
2011 134 79.9% 4,790 7,992 11,716
2010 54 79.6% 4,693 7,159 11,406
2009 65 76.9% 3,162 6,381 13,353
2008 100 75.0% 4,073 6,726 11,766
2007 129 69.8% 3,929 8,610 15,234
2004 79 78.5% 9,156 14,307 17,532
2003 273 79.9% 9,972 15,612 22,486
2002 446 73.8% 11,744 16,860 24,209
2001 781 68.0% 9,958 15,036 21,730
2000 544 69.9% 11,090 17,117 23,204
1999 436 73.4% 12,113 19,149 26,706
1998 294 71.8% 12,976 17,597 27,166
1997 152 75.0% 14,301 20,074 26,777

How Long Does a Aprilia RS Last?

Based on 1,527 Aprilia RS vehicles on UK roads.

Average
9.8 years
Median
9.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
31 years

Aprilia RS Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Aprilia RS MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
10,576 mi
75th Percentile
16,359 mi
95th Percentile
29,735 mi
Max Recorded
699,607 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Aprilia RS

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
1996

85.4% MOT pass rate from 103 tests

Year to avoid
2001

68.0% MOT pass rate from 781 tests

The best year to buy a used Aprilia RS is 1996, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 85.4% across 103 tests. The 2001 model year has the lowest pass rate at 68.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Aprilia RS Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Aprilia RS THIS CAR 75.6% 8,913 10,576 mi 31 yrs
Aprilia Rsv 86.8% 87,683 13,065 mi 27 yrs
Aprilia RS125 70.2% 51,570 13,624 mi 31 yrs
Aprilia Tuono 89.5% 42,169 11,799 mi 24 yrs
BMW 220D M Sport Auto 88.9% 7,184 35,714 mi — yrs

Compared to the Aprilia Rsv (86.8% pass rate) and the Aprilia RS125 (70.2% pass rate), the Aprilia RS sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Aprilia RS?

The Aprilia RS has an overall MOT pass rate of 75.6% across 8,913 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.

The most common problems on the Aprilia RS are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (125 recorded failures), brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (121), and tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (94). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.

On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is brake pad(s) less than 1.0 mm thick. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Aprilia RS with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.

A typical Aprilia RS owner drives around 973 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.

In terms of longevity, most Aprilia RS models stay on UK roads for around 31 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.

Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.

Aprilia RS — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Aprilia RS reliable?
Based on 8,913 MOT tests, the Aprilia RS has a 75.6% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Aprilia RS?
The most common MOT failures are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick, and tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Aprilia RS do per year?
The typical Aprilia RS does around 973 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Aprilia RS last?
Most Aprilia RS models stay on UK roads for around 31 years based on our analysis of 1,527 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Aprilia RS?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Aprilia RS?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Aprilia RS is 1996 with a 85.4% pass rate across 103 tests.