Aprilia Sr50 (2001)

531 real MOT outcomes analysed • 77.3% first-time pass rate

2001 Aprilia Sr50

CarHunch analysed 531 real MOT records for the 2001 Aprilia Sr50. 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 Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2001 Aprilia SR50 passes its MOT first time in just 77.3% of cases, slightly below the UK average of 80%, suggesting these ageing scooters need a bit more attention to keep roadworthy. The good news is that dangerous defects are relatively uncommon at 10.5%, so you're not looking at a safety minefield if you buy one.

These machines have genuinely low mileage for their age—averaging just 15,784 miles—which reflects their role as commuter bikes rather than long-distance runners, and that helps explain why failures and advisories remain modest at 0.94 and 2.0 per vehicle respectively. Before buying, get a full pre-purchase inspection focused on the cooling system and exhaust, which are the typical weak points on ageing Piaggio-built scooters of this era.

The 2001 Aprilia Sr50 passes its MOT first time at roughly the UK average rate (77.3%) — solid but worth checking this vehicle's history carefully.

⚠️ About 1 in 12 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
77.3%
UK average ~80%
Around average
Dangerous (ever)
10.6%
At least once in MOT history
Check this vehicle
Avg failures / car
0.94
Over 3.6 tests on record
Moderate
Typical mileage
15k
Middle half: 10k–20k
For context
🔧 Average reliability. Passes at roughly the UK rate — not a standout, not a problem vehicle. Individual history makes all the difference.
🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 2 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 531 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 531 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 25.3%
Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Rear Tyre tread not clearly visible
Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.
Brake wear 16.2%
Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick · Front Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit · Rear Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit · …
Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.
Suspension & steering 12.3%
Nearside Front shock absorber has light misting of stanchion · Steering headbearing has slight free play · Offside Front shock absorber has light misting of stanchion · …
Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.
Lighting 12%
Rear reflector on motorcycle missing · Headlamp aim too high
Usually cheap to fix. Worth confirming all lights work before collecting.
Exhaust & emissions 10%
Exhaust is leaking and excessively noisey

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2001.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 531 Aprilia Sr50 cars.

UK

Before you buy a 2001 Aprilia Sr50

Based on MOT data from 531 vehicles — here's what to check.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. 10.6% 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

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Petrol (100%) 530 77.3% 0.94

Colour Breakdown

Based on 6,438 Aprilia Sr50 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Black 37.8%
2,433
Red 15.1%
972
Silver 12.2%
784
White 11.2%
719
Blue 7.3%
472
Multi-colour 6.9%
446
Orange 4.3%
279
Grey 2.3%
147
Yellow 2.3%
145
Green 0.3%
21
Purple 0.2%
13
Gold 0.1%
7

Mileage Distribution

Most 2001 Aprilia Sr50 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.

14,941
typical
10,324
low mileage
20,319
high mileage

Half of all 2001 Aprilia Sr50 vehicles fall between 10,324 and 20,319 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?
Under 10,324 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.
10,324–20,319 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2001 Aprilia Sr50s sit.
Over 27,430 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2001 Aprilia Sr50 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 23% of 2001 Aprilia Sr50s are still active.

Numbers are declining — 11 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2022 (23% of peak).

47 11 2014 2022

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2022.
* 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

3.6
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
0.94
Avg failures per vehicle
2
Avg advisories per vehicle
Other model years — Aprilia Sr50: All Sr50 years → Which year to buy? →
1998 1999 2000 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2015 2016 2017

Or browse all models: Aprilia →

Compare with another model

See how the 2001 Aprilia Sr50 stacks up against a rival.

Average reliability — agree?