Pass rate over time
The SM 50's first-time pass rate has risen 14.8 points since 2010, 47.7% to 62.5%.
What fails on a SM 50
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lighting and signalling |
|
403 | 34.2 | 5.8× |
| steering and suspension |
|
294 | 24.9 | 7.3× |
| brakes |
|
166 | 14.1 | 3.5× |
| drive system |
|
91 | 7.7 | 11.8× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
69 | 5.8 | 2.4× |
| suspension |
|
41 | 3.5 | 4.6× |
| body and structure |
|
38 | 3.2 | 9.0× |
| structure and attachments |
|
31 | 2.6 | 3.5× |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
28 | 2.4 | 4.4× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
19 | 1.6 | 1.2× |
Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects. "vs all bikes" is how often this model's tests record a defect in the group, as a multiple of the all-bike rate.
How rivals compare
On first-time pass rate the SM 50 beats 0 of its 4 closest rivals (PEUGEOT SPEEDFIGHT, PIAGGIO ZIP, PIAGGIO NRG).
Rivals share this bike's type and sit within ±30% of its engine capacity, ≥ 5,000 tests. Card colour = better/worse first-time pass rate than the SM 50.
Pass rate by registration year
Best year to buy used: 2009 (56.8% pass). Weakest: 2006 (46.1%).
First-time pass rate by the year each bike was first registered (cohorts with ≥ 50 tests). Older cohorts are survivors: the worst examples have already left the road, which tends to lift the earliest years.
CPI SM 50 FAQ
Is the CPI SM 50 reliable?
The CPI SM 50 is less reliable than average for its class: 52.8% of its 741 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 73.4%. That ranks it #5364 of 5426 models.
What does a SM 50 fail its MOT on most?
lighting and signalling — 34% of all defects recorded against failed SM 50 tests.
What is the best year of SM 50 to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 2009-registered examples do best (56.8%) and 2006 worst (46.1%). Condition and history still trump the year.