Benelli 491 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Benelli 491 car check
Is the Benelli 491 reliable? We analysed 1,447 real MOT tests across 342 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Benelli 491? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Benelli 491 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies and exhaust is leaking and excessively noisey. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Benelli 491.
Benelli 491 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Benelli 491. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Benelli 491 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Benelli 491 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Benelli 491 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Benelli 491 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Benelli 491 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Benelli 491 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Benelli 491 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Benelli 491 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 54 | 88.9% | 1,283 | 1,960 | 4,109 |
| 2003 | 289 | 72.0% | 3,313 | 9,325 | 13,034 |
| 2002 | 187 | 73.3% | 6,230 | 9,331 | 13,702 |
| 2001 | 375 | 75.2% | 3,375 | 8,618 | 14,351 |
| 2000 | 281 | 74.4% | 6,304 | 11,806 | 17,628 |
| 1999 | 65 | 84.6% | 6,060 | 13,322 | 17,589 |
How Long Does a Benelli 491 Last?
Based on 342 Benelli 491 vehicles on UK roads.
Benelli 491 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Benelli 491 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Benelli 491
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
88.9% MOT pass rate from 54 tests
72.0% MOT pass rate from 289 tests
The best year to buy a used Benelli 491 is 2009, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 88.9% across 54 tests. The 2003 model year has the lowest pass rate at 72.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Benelli 491 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benelli 491 THIS CAR | 75.9% | 1,447 | 9,275 mi | 27 yrs |
| Benelli Tornado Naked T 125 | 79.6% | 4,533 | 4,730 mi | — yrs |
| Benelli Tornado | 90.2% | 4,011 | 5,914 mi | 23 yrs |
| Benelli Bn 125 | 77% | 1,692 | 6,640 mi | — yrs |
| Ajp Unknown | 80.8% | 656 | 2,404 mi | 13 yrs |
Compared to the Benelli Tornado Naked T 125 (79.6% pass rate) and the Benelli Tornado (90.2% pass rate), the Benelli 491 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Benelli 491 you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Benelli 491Should you buy a used Benelli 491?
The Benelli 491 has an overall MOT pass rate of 75.9% across 1,447 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 Benelli 491 are shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (83 recorded failures), stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (35), and exhaust is leaking and excessively noisey (35). 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.
A typical Benelli 491 owner drives around 662 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 Benelli 491 models stay on UK roads for around 27 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.