Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1998 Aprilia Rs125?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 1998 Aprilia Rs125?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 1998 Aprilia Rs125?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 1998 Aprilia Rs125 vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

23% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 1998 Aprilia Rs125 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 330 vehicles, the 1998 Aprilia Rs125 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 69.1%, indicating average reliability for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 1998 Aprilia Rs125?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 1998 Aprilia Rs125 are: Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (34.9% of vehicles), Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (30.9% of vehicles), Front Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit (29.1% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 1998 Aprilia Rs125?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Aprilia Rs125 (1998)

330 real MOT outcomes analysed • 69.1% first-time pass rate

1998 Aprilia Rs125

CarHunch analysed 330 real MOT records for the 1998 Aprilia Rs125. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

Moderate sample. 330 vehicles on record. Figures are indicative — the specific vehicle's history matters more than these averages.

The 1998 Aprilia RS125 struggles against the UK average, with a first-time pass rate of just 69.1% compared to 80%, and a concerning 23% of tested machines have recorded dangerous defects—a significant reliability red flag for a buyer. This 125cc sportsbike is reaching an age where mechanical wear shows clearly in the MOT data.

The median mileage of 17,811 miles is relatively low for a 26-year-old machine, suggesting many survivors are either cherished or lightly used, yet each bike still averages 1.86 failures per test and 4.5 advisories, pointing to systemic wear in brakes, exhaust systems, and fuel delivery. If you're considering one, budget for pre-purchase inspection by a specialist and expect regular maintenance to keep it roadworthy.

The 1998 Aprilia Rs125 has a below-average first-time pass rate (69.1% vs ~80% UK average) — check the specific vehicle's full MOT history carefully before buying.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

69.1%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

23%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

1.86

Over 5.7 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

18k

Middle half: 12k–24k

For context

⚠️ Below average. More vehicles in this cohort fail their first MOT than typical. Scrutinise this vehicle's history — look for recurring issues, not just the latest result.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 4.5 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 330 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Buyer beware — pass it on

What tends to go wrong

Across 330 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 34.9%

Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Brake wear 29.1%

Front Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit · Rear Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit · Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Lighting 25.5%

Drive chain slightly loose · Headlamp aim too low

Usually cheap to fix. Worth confirming all lights work before collecting.

Suspension & steering 20.9%

Rear shock absorber has inadequate damping effect. · Rear suspension bush has slight free play · Front wheel bearings have excessive free play · …

Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.

Other issues 20.8%

Drive chain worn but not considered excessive · Drive chain excessively loose

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1998.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 330 Aprilia Rs125 cars.

Before you buy a 1998 Aprilia Rs125

Based on MOT data from 330 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 23% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Colour Breakdown

Based on 7,944 Aprilia Rs125 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Black 48.3%

3,834

Red 14.8%

1,177

White 8.7%

694

Multi-colour 8.2%

654

Silver 6.5%

520

Grey 5.6%

445

Blue 4.1%

326

Yellow 1.4%

112

Orange 0.9%

Green 0.7%

Purple 0.6%

Not stated 0.1%

Mileage Distribution

Most 1998 Aprilia Rs125 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

17,811

typical

11,539

low mileage

24,347

high mileage

Half of all 1998 Aprilia Rs125 vehicles fall between 11,539 and 24,347 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 11,539 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 11,539–24,347 miles — normal for age. This is where most 1998 Aprilia Rs125s sit.

⚠ Over 32,868 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

1998 Aprilia Rs125 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 32% of 1998 Aprilia Rs125s are still active.

Numbers are declining — 22 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (32% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

5.7

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

1.86

Avg failures per vehicle

4.5

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Aprilia Rs125: All Rs125 years → Which year to buy? →

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Compare with another model

See how the 1998 Aprilia Rs125 stacks up against a rival.

Buyer beware — pass it on