Aprilia Area 51 vs Peugeot Vivacity

The Peugeot Vivacity passes its MOT first time more often than the Aprilia Area 51: 70.4% vs 69.9%, a 0.5-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025

Metric	Aprilia Area 51	Peugeot Vivacity
First-time pass rate	69.9%	70.4%
Outright fail rate	21.7%	21.7%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-3.8 pts	-0.9 pts
Engine size	49cc	49cc
Rank among all models	#4743 of 5428	#4699 of 5428
Median miles at test	7,696	11,162
MOT tests analysed	1,151	29,731
Most common failure	lighting and signalling	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	Aprilia Area 51	Peugeot Vivacity
Lights & signalling	11.2%	11.5%
Steering & suspension	9.7%	10.5%
Brakes	7.9%	8.6%
Tyres & wheels	2.7%	4.4%
Fuel & exhaust	3.7%	1.9%
Structure & body	1.5%	1.6%
Drive system	0.1%	0.0%

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	Aprilia Area 51	Peugeot Vivacity
2007	74.7%	72.0%
2008	70.4%	72.3%
2009	60.6%	69.7%
2010	69.5%	69.9%
2011	66.2%	67.2%
2012	61.5%	66.2%
2013	59.3%	68.2%
2014	64.6%	66.3%

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	Aprilia Area 51	Peugeot Vivacity
0k-10k miles	74.3%	76.6%
10k-20k miles	61.8%	67.9%
20k-30k miles	60.4%	60.8%

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

Aprilia Area 51 vs Peugeot Vivacity FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Aprilia Area 51 or the Peugeot Vivacity?

The Peugeot Vivacity passes its MOT first time more often than the Aprilia Area 51: 70.4% vs 69.9%, a 0.5-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Peugeot Vivacity still comes out ahead: -3.8 points vs comparable bikes for the Aprilia Area 51, -0.9 for the Peugeot Vivacity. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Aprilia Area 51 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 11.2% of Aprilia Area 51 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (9.7%).

What does the Peugeot Vivacity fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 11.5% of Peugeot Vivacity MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (10.5%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Aprilia Area 51 or the Peugeot Vivacity?

They are level: at 20k-30k miles the Aprilia Area 51 passes 60.4% first time and the Peugeot Vivacity 60.8%.

APRILIA AREA 51 69.9% pass · 1,151 tests PEUGEOT VIVACITY 70.4% pass · 29.7k tests

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