Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2004 Gilera Rcr?

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 2004 Gilera Rcr?

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 2004 Gilera Rcr?

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.

Is the 2004 Gilera Rcr reliable?

Based on MOT data from 261 vehicles, the 2004 Gilera Rcr has a first-time MOT pass rate of 67.1%, indicating average reliability for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2004 Gilera Rcr?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2004 Gilera Rcr are: Rear reflector on motorcycle missing (53.5% of vehicles), Drive chain worn but not considered excessive (41.8% of vehicles), Front Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (30.1% 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 2004 Gilera Rcr?

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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Gilera Rcr (2004)

261 real MOT outcomes analysed • 67.1% first-time pass rate

2004 Gilera Rcr

CarHunch analysed 261 real MOT records for the 2004 Gilera Rcr. 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 2004 Gilera RCR has a first-time MOT pass rate of just 49.4%, nearly 31 percentage points below the UK average of 80%, which signals this is a challenging vehicle to keep roadworthy. With 14.2% of these machines having experienced a dangerous defect, buyers should be prepared for potentially serious safety issues and expect to invest substantially in remedial work.

At 14,302 miles average, these bikes show relatively modest mileage for their age, yet they're still averaging 1.48 failures and 4.1 advisories per test, suggesting inherent design or durability weaknesses rather than hard use. Before purchasing one, have a trusted mechanic conduct a pre-buy inspection focusing on the specific failure patterns in MOT records, as the low pass rate indicates you'll face regular repair bills.

We have limited data for the 2004 Gilera Rcr — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

⚠️ 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

67.1%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

14.2%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

1.48

Over 4.4 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

13k

Middle half: 9k–19k

For context

These stats describe 261 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 261 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Lighting 53.5%

Rear reflector on motorcycle missing · Drive chain slightly loose · Rear Drive chain sprocket slightly worn · …

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

Other issues 41.8%

Drive chain worn but not considered excessive · Drive chain worn to excess · Horn not working

Brake wear 30.1%

Front Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies · Rear Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit · Front Brake lever is short but brake can still be readily applied · …

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

Suspension & steering 22.7%

Offside Front shock absorber has light misting of stanchion · Nearside Front shock absorber has light misting of stanchion · Nearside Front shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil

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

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2004.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 261 Gilera Rcr cars.

Before you buy a 2004 Gilera Rcr

Based on MOT data from 261 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 14.2% 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

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (99%)	259	66.9%	1.49

Colour Breakdown

Based on 486 Gilera Rcr vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Red 79%

384

Black 8.8%

Grey 5.3%

Yellow 2.3%

White 2.3%

Blue 1.2%

Green 1%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2004 Gilera Rcr 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.

13,293

typical

8,919

low mileage

18,841

high mileage

Half of all 2004 Gilera Rcr vehicles fall between 8,919 and 18,841 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 8,919 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.

✓ 8,919–18,841 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2004 Gilera Rcrs sit.

⚠ Over 25,435 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2004 Gilera Rcr — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 35% of 2004 Gilera Rcrs are still active.

Numbers are declining — 11 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2023 (35% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2023.
* 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

4.4

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

1.48

Avg failures per vehicle

4.1

Avg advisories per vehicle

Compare with another model

See how the 2004 Gilera Rcr stacks up against a rival.

Buyer beware — pass it on