Model report · 2005–2025
TOMOS A3M
49cc
Petrol
Class 1
82.6%
first-time pass rate
7.2%
failed outright
3,177
median miles at test
195
MOT tests, 2005–2025
What fails on a A3M
failure defects by component group · advisories excluded
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects |
|---|---|---|---|
| brakes |
|
20 | 36.4 |
| lighting and signalling |
|
15 | 27.3 |
| tyres and wheels |
|
6 | 10.9 |
| steering and suspension |
|
6 | 10.9 |
| Items Not Tested |
|
4 | 7.3 |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
1 | 1.8 |
| driving controls |
|
1 | 1.8 |
| structure and attachments |
|
1 | 1.8 |
| drive system |
|
1 | 1.8 |
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 A3M beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (PEUGEOT SPEEDFIGHT, PIAGGIO ZIP, PIAGGIO NRG).
PEUGEOT
SPEEDFIGHT
65.2% pass · 83.7k tests
PIAGGIO
ZIP
71.3% pass · 79.0k tests
PIAGGIO
NRG
65.5% pass · 40.5k tests
PEUGEOT
VIVACITY
70.4% pass · 29.7k tests
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 A3M.
Pass rate by registration year
how each model-year cohort fares · registration year from first use date
Best year to buy used: 1985 (87.7% pass). Weakest: 1986 (76.9%).
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.