Aprilia Rsv (2005)

597 real MOT outcomes analysed • 88.5% first-time pass rate

2005 Aprilia Rsv

CarHunch analysed 597 real MOT records for the 2005 Aprilia Rsv. 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

The 2005 Aprilia RSV passes its MOT first time at 88.5%, well above the UK average of 80%, which is a strong result for a nearly 20-year-old sports bike. However, 17.8% of these machines have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, a figure worth considering if you're buying used—check the full service history carefully.

These bikes typically show 8,955 miles on the clock at test, which is relatively modest for their age and suggests many have been stored or ridden sparingly. With an average of 1.36 failures per vehicle and 4.5 advisories, the RSV is holding together reasonably well, but you should budget for routine wear items (exhausts, gaskets, brake lines) when you buy—get a pre-purchase inspection done by a specialist familiar with Aprilia sports bikes.

The 2005 Aprilia Rsv passes its MOT first time at roughly the UK average rate (88.5%) — solid but worth checking this vehicle's history carefully.

⚠️ Around 1 in 8 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
88.5%
UK average ~80%
Better than average
Dangerous (ever)
17.8%
At least once in MOT history
Check this vehicle
Avg failures / car
1.36
Over 10.6 tests on record
High
Typical mileage
9k
Middle half: 5k–14k
For context
Good baseline reliability. A 88.5% first-time pass rate puts this well above the UK average — it's a well-sorted vehicle in this age bracket.
🔧 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 597 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.

Average reliability — agree?

What tends to go wrong

Across 597 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Exhaust & emissions 84.8%
Exhaust noisy
Tyre wear 59.6%
Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Rear Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm · …
Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.
Lighting 30.8%
Rear reflector on motorcycle missing · Drive chain slightly loose · Rear reflector missing
Usually cheap to fix. Worth confirming all lights work before collecting.
Brake wear 19.2%
Front Roller brake test indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort · Roller brake test The less effective brake control does not achieve an efficiency of 25%. · Front Brake indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort · …
Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.
Suspension & steering 7.3%
Rear suspension bush has slight free play · Steering movement slightly 'notchy' · Rear suspension bearing has slight free play
Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.
Other issues 6.1%
Drive chain worn but not considered excessive

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2005.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 597 Aprilia Rsv cars.

UK

Before you buy a 2005 Aprilia Rsv

Based on MOT data from 597 vehicles — here's what to check.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. 17.8% 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 ClickMechanic
  • 📄 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 carVertical Get 20% off via CarHunch

Colour Breakdown

Based on 8,611 Aprilia Rsv vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Black 50.9%
4,380
Red 15.9%
1,367
Silver 13.5%
1,164
Multi-colour 5.6%
484
Yellow 4.8%
413
White 4.5%
387
Grey 2.6%
222
Blue 2%
169
Orange 0.2%
16
Purple 0.1%
9

Mileage Distribution

Most 2005 Aprilia Rsv 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.

8,955
typical
5,083
low mileage
14,354
high mileage

Half of all 2005 Aprilia Rsv vehicles fall between 5,083 and 14,354 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?
Under 5,083 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.
5,083–14,354 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2005 Aprilia Rsvs sit.
Over 19,377 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2005 Aprilia Rsv — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 60% of 2005 Aprilia Rsvs are still active.

196 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 60% of the peak remain.

329 196 2014 2025

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

10.6
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
1.36
Avg failures per vehicle
4.5
Avg advisories per vehicle
Other model years — Aprilia Rsv: All Rsv years → Which year to buy? →
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Average reliability — agree?