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

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 Smt?

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 Smt?

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 2004 Gilera Smt 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 2004 Gilera Smt reliable?

Based on MOT data from 158 vehicles, the 2004 Gilera Smt has a first-time MOT pass rate of 69.6%, 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 Smt?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2004 Gilera Smt are: Rear reflector on motorcycle missing (57.7% of vehicles), Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (36.1% of vehicles), Drive chain worn but not considered excessive (31.7% 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 Smt?

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 Smt (2004)

158 real MOT outcomes analysed • 69.6% first-time pass rate

2004 Gilera Smt

CarHunch analysed 158 real MOT records for the 2004 Gilera Smt. 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 Compare Models

The 2004 Gilera SMT is a notably unreliable proposition by modern standards, with a first-time pass rate of just 59.4% against the UK average of 80%—meaning nearly four in ten fail their MOT outright. More concerning, almost 23% of these bikes have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, a red flag for any prospective buyer.

The median mileage of 11,279 is low for a 20-year-old machine, suggesting many surviving examples have been cherished rather than hard-ridden, yet they still average nearly two failures per test and over five advisories. Before committing to ownership, have a trusted mechanic inspect the entire fuel system, brakes and suspension—these older Gileras consistently rack up failures in precisely these areas.

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

⚠️ 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

69.6%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

22.8%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

1.92

Over 6 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

11k

Middle half: 7k–17k

For context

These stats describe 158 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 158 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Lighting 57.7%

Rear reflector on motorcycle missing · Drive chain slightly loose · Headlamp aim too low · …

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

Tyre wear 36.1%

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.

Other issues 31.7%

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

Brake wear 26.9%

Rear Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit · Front Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies · Front 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 23.1%

Rear wheel bearings have slight free play · Nearside 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.

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 158 Gilera Smt cars.

Before you buy a 2004 Gilera Smt

Based on MOT data from 158 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 22.8% 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 →
📄 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%)	157	69.6%	1.92

Mileage Distribution

Most 2004 Gilera Smt 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.

11,279

typical

6,758

low mileage

16,537

high mileage

Half of all 2004 Gilera Smt vehicles fall between 6,758 and 16,537 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 6,758 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.

✓ 6,758–16,537 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2004 Gilera Smts sit.

⚠ Over 22,324 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 Smt — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 29% of 2004 Gilera Smts are still active.

Numbers are declining — 10 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2020 (29% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2020.
* 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

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

1.92

Avg failures per vehicle

5.4

Avg advisories per vehicle

Compare with another model

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

Buyer beware — pass it on