BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ Ajs Digita/vs Piaggio Zip
Head-to-head · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

Ajs Digita vs Piaggio Zip

The Ajs Digita passes its MOT first time more often than the Piaggio Zip: 73.7% vs 71.3%, a 2.4-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
Metric Ajs Digita Piaggio Zip
First-time pass rate 73.7% 71.3%
Outright fail rate 18.8% 20.4%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) -2.4 pts -1.0 pts
Engine size 50cc 49cc
Rank among all models #4432 of 5428 #4631 of 5428
Median miles at test 4,598 8,882
MOT tests analysed 980 78,993
Most common failure lamps and reflectors lighting and signalling

First-time outcomes on normal tests, 2005–2025. "Most common failure" is the component group with the most recorded defects on failed tests. Read pass rates against test counts: a smaller sample is noisier. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results.

"Vs comparable bikes" is the first-time pass rate minus the rate expected for each bike's own mix of age, mileage and test class, in percentage points: positive means better than comparable bikes. How this works.

What fails, side by side

share of each bike's MOT tests that failed on the component · lower is better
Component Ajs Digita Piaggio Zip
Lights & signalling 11.4% 11.9%
Steering & suspension 8.5% 9.2%
Brakes 5% 6.5%
Tyres & wheels 3.8% 4.0%
Structure & body 2.3% 1.6%
Fuel & exhaust 0.1% 2.5%

A test that fails on two components counts once in each. Component links go to the bikes most likely to fail on it.

Pass rate by test year

first-time MOT pass rate in each calendar year both bikes were tested
Test year Ajs Digita Piaggio Zip
2018 81.1% 72.9%
2019 73.8% 73.0%
2020 82.2% 73.1%
2021 66.9% 73.3%
2022 69.8% 74.5%
2023 69.9% 74.1%
2024 74.1% 73.4%
2025 76.3% 76.2%

Each year mixes bikes of different ages, so a fleet that is getting older tends to slip.

Pass rate by mileage

first-time MOT pass rate by miles on the clock at test
Mileage Ajs Digita Piaggio Zip
0k-10k miles 74.4% 75.2%
10k-20k miles 62.9% 66.7%

Bands with fewer than 30 tests for either bike are left out.

Ajs Digita vs Piaggio Zip FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Ajs Digita or the Piaggio Zip?

The Ajs Digita passes its MOT first time more often than the Piaggio Zip: 73.7% vs 71.3%, a 2.4-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Piaggio Zip still comes out ahead: -2.4 points vs comparable bikes for the Ajs Digita, -1.0 for the Piaggio Zip. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Ajs Digita fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 11.4% of Ajs Digita MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (8.5%).

What does the Piaggio Zip fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 11.9% of Piaggio Zip MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (9.2%).

See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.