BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ KYMCO/DJ 50 S
Model report · 2005–2025

KYMCO DJ 50 S

49cc Petrol Class 1
86.6%
first-time pass rate
9.1%
failed outright
9,804
median miles at test
276
MOT tests, 2005–2025
+14.4pp
vs expected · age & mileage

The pass rate is the MOT first-time pass: a roadworthiness check of the items an MOT covers (brakes, lights, tyres, steering, structure, emissions), not a full mechanical inspection of engine or gearbox internals. It is a reliability signal, not a complete measure of mechanical reliability. What this measures.

“vs expected” adjusts for age, mileage and test class, so a cherished classic and a hard-used commuter are compared fairly. How this works.

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2016–2017

The DJ 50 S's first-time pass rate has fallen 2.8 points since 2016, 90.9% to 88.1%.

87%90%92%2016: 90.9% pass (66 tests)2017: 88.1% pass (42 tests)20162017

What fails on a DJ 50 S

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded
Component group Share of defects Defects % of defects
lighting and signalling
16 34.8
lamps and reflectors
8 17.4
tyres
4 8.7
audible warning (Horn)
3 6.5
steering and suspension
3 6.5
suspension
3 6.5
brakes
3 6.5
structure and attachments
3 6.5
body and structure
2 4.3
reg plates and vin
1 2.2

Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects.

How rivals compare

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the DJ 50 S beats 4 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 DJ 50 S.

Compare with any bike

rival not listed above? pick any model to see it head-to-head with the DJ 50 S

Pass rate by registration year

how each model-year cohort fares · registration year from first use date

Best year to buy used: 2012 (87.8% pass). Weakest: 2013 (85.8%).

85%87%89%2012: 87.8% pass (123 tests)2013: 85.8% pass (141 tests)20122013

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.

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Free to embed on your site, blog or forum — a live Kymco DJ 50 S reliability card that stays up to date and links back here. More on the free API page.