Rieju RS1 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Rieju RS1 car check
Is the Rieju RS1 reliable? We analysed 422 real MOT tests across 101 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Rieju RS1? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Rieju RS1 is below average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, steering headbearing has excessive free play and reflector on motorcycle missing. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Rieju RS1.
Rieju RS1 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Rieju RS1. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Rieju RS1 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Rieju RS1 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Rieju RS1 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Rieju RS1 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Rieju RS1 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Rieju RS1 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Rieju RS1 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Rieju RS1 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 66 | 59.1% | 10,955 | 14,313 | 25,614 |
| 2001 | 118 | 58.5% | 6,654 | 11,719 | 16,095 |
| 2000 | 76 | 56.6% | 3,514 | 6,486 | 9,472 |
| 1999 | 54 | 59.3% | 5,634 | 9,012 | 14,124 |
How Long Does a Rieju RS1 Last?
Based on 101 Rieju RS1 vehicles on UK roads.
Rieju RS1 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Rieju RS1 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 Rieju RS1
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
59.3% MOT pass rate from 54 tests
56.6% MOT pass rate from 76 tests
The best year to buy a used Rieju RS1 is 1999, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 59.3% across 54 tests. The 2000 model year has the lowest pass rate at 56.6% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Rieju RS1 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rieju RS1 THIS CAR | 59.7% | 422 | 10,168 mi | 27 yrs |
| Rieju Mrt | 69.3% | 2,387 | 5,665 mi | 14 yrs |
| Rieju RS2 | 64.1% | 2,094 | 9,292 mi | 23 yrs |
| Rieju Marathon | 69.6% | 1,491 | 5,258 mi | 13 yrs |
| Ford Transit Custom 340 Trail Eblue | 85.1% | 683 | 46,883 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Rieju Mrt (69.3% pass rate) and the Rieju RS2 (64.1% pass rate), the Rieju RS1 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Rieju RS1 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 Rieju RS1Should you buy a used Rieju RS1?
The Rieju RS1 has an overall MOT pass rate of 59.7% across 422 real MOT tests — below the UK average, so reliability should be a key concern.
The most common problems on the Rieju RS1 are shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (55 recorded failures), steering headbearing has excessive free play (29), and reflector on motorcycle missing (27). 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 Rieju RS1 owner drives around 1,122 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 Rieju RS1 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.