CarVerify

Derbi Predator Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Derbi Predator car check

Is the Derbi Predator reliable? We analysed 1,647 real MOT tests across 472 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 1,647 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
72.9%
Typical Mileage
8,277mi
Annual Mileage
698mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
28yrs

The Derbi Predator is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick, suspension bush has excessive free play and exhaust is leaking and excessively noisey. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Derbi Predator.

Derbi Predator Number Plates

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

Derbi Predator MOT Pass Rate by Year

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

69.1%
2003
71.8%
2002
71.8%
2001
75.4%
2000
74%
1999
75.9%
1998

Derbi Predator Problems — What Goes Wrong?

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

Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 51
suspension bush has excessive free play 35
Exhaust is leaking and excessively noisey 34
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 34
Brake lever has inadequate reserve travel 32
shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 32
Headlamp aim too high 25
Tyre tread not clearly visible 24
suspension has excessive stiffness in the suspension movement. 23
Roller brake test The less effective brake control does not achieve an efficiency of 25%. 23

Derbi Predator Mileage — What's Normal?

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

Low usage
187 mi/yr
Typical
698 mi/yr
Average
1,433 mi/yr
Heavy usage
1,735 mi/yr

Derbi Predator MOT Data by Registration Year

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

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2003 343 69.1% 5,058 7,517 10,590
2002 216 71.8% 4,778 6,946 10,320
2001 330 71.8% 5,656 8,892 12,327
2000 448 75.4% 4,590 8,783 13,452
1999 242 74.0% 5,632 8,687 12,549
1998 58 75.9% 852 5,046 11,161

How Long Does a Derbi Predator Last?

Based on 472 Derbi Predator vehicles on UK roads.

Average
8.2 years
Median
7.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
28 years

Derbi Predator Mileage Distribution

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

Median
8,277 mi
75th Percentile
12,066 mi
95th Percentile
19,390 mi
Max Recorded
142,644 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Derbi Predator

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

Best year
1998

75.9% MOT pass rate from 58 tests

Year to avoid
2003

69.1% MOT pass rate from 343 tests

The best year to buy a used Derbi Predator is 1998, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 75.9% across 58 tests. The 2003 model year has the lowest pass rate at 69.1% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Derbi Predator Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Derbi Predator THIS CAR 72.9% 1,647 8,277 mi 28 yrs
Derbi Senda 67.1% 12,951 9,865 mi 30 yrs
Derbi GPR50-R 66% 2,658 13,802 mi 28 yrs
Derbi Atlantis 78.5% 1,849 10,422 mi 27 yrs
Harley-davidson Street Bob Fxdb 1584 13 91.3% 762 11,119 mi 13 yrs

Compared to the Derbi Senda (67.1% pass rate) and the Derbi GPR50-R (66.0% pass rate), the Derbi Predator outperforms both on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Derbi Predator?

The Derbi Predator has an overall MOT pass rate of 72.9% across 1,647 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.

The most common problems on the Derbi Predator are brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (51 recorded failures), suspension bush has excessive free play (35), and exhaust is leaking and excessively noisey (34). 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 Derbi Predator owner drives around 698 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 Derbi Predator models stay on UK roads for around 28 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.

Derbi Predator — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Derbi Predator reliable?
Based on 1,647 MOT tests, the Derbi Predator has a 72.9% pass rate — about average for UK cars.
What are the common problems on a Derbi Predator?
The most common MOT failures are brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick, suspension bush has excessive free play, and exhaust is leaking and excessively noisey. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Derbi Predator do per year?
The typical Derbi Predator does around 698 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Derbi Predator last?
Most Derbi Predator models stay on UK roads for around 28 years based on our analysis of 472 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Derbi Predator?
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 Derbi Predator?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Derbi Predator is 1998 with a 75.9% pass rate across 58 tests.