Aprilia RS 250 (1998)
1998 Aprilia RS 250
CarHunch analysed 142 real MOT records for the 1998 Aprilia RS 250. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1998 Aprilia RS 250 passes its MOT at 85.1%, which is comfortably above the UK average of 80%, and dangerous defects are rare at just 8.5% of vehicles—a reassuring sign for a sports bike now 26 years old. The relatively low dangerous defect rate suggests these machines have been reasonably well maintained by their owners.
These bikes are running at a modest 12,476 miles on average, which is low for their age and suggests they've been kept as cherished weekend toys rather than daily commuters. With just 0.9 failures and 1.5 advisories per vehicle on average, the typical issues are minor and manageable—focus your pre-purchase inspection on the two-stroke engine's condition and any evidence of overheating, as these are the costliest items to repair on a 250cc two-stroke.
What to check before buying a 1998 Aprilia RS 250
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Aprilia RS 250
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Mileage Distribution
Most 1998 Aprilia RS 250 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 1998 Aprilia RS 250 vehicles fall between 7,402 and 16,924 miles.
1998 Aprilia RS 250 — Still on the Road
32 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 76% of the peak remain.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Found a specific Aprilia RS 250?
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