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
The NITRO's first-time pass rate has risen 11.5 points since 2005, 58.5% to 70.0%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage NITRO passes first time 64.9% of the time; by 20k that's 54.1%.
First-time pass rate by odometer reading at test, 10,000-mile bands for this model. Mileage is the strongest reliability signal. See the full curve.
What fails on a NITRO
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lighting and signalling |
|
1,363 | 42.3 | 5.5× |
| steering and suspension |
|
693 | 21.5 | 4.6× |
| brakes |
|
619 | 19.2 | 3.2× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
156 | 4.8 | 2.2× |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
142 | 4.4 | 5.4× |
| body and structure |
|
73 | 2.3 | 4.5× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
60 | 1.9 | 0.7× |
| reg plates and vin |
|
60 | 1.9 | 3.0× |
| Items Not Tested |
|
42 | 1.3 | 13.4× |
| suspension |
|
12 | 0.4 | 0.4× |
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 NITRO 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 NITRO.
Compare with any bike
More MBK models
Pass rate by registration year
Best year to buy used: 2005 (68.4% pass). Weakest: 2000 (56.8%).
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.
MBK NITRO FAQ
Is the MBK NITRO reliable?
The MBK NITRO is less reliable than average for its class: 59.8% of its 3,071 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 73.4%. That ranks it #5222 of 5428 models.
What does a NITRO fail its MOT on most?
lighting and signalling — 42% of all defects recorded against failed NITRO tests.
What is the best year of NITRO to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 2005-registered examples do best (68.4%) and 2000 worst (56.8%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a NITRO last?
The median NITRO shows 8,810 miles at test, and examples around 20k miles still pass 54.1% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.
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