Aprilia RX50 vs Piaggio NRG

The Piaggio NRG passes its MOT first time more often than the Aprilia RX50: 65.5% vs 50.3%, a 15.2-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Aprilia RX50	Piaggio NRG
First-time pass rate	50.3%	65.5%
Outright fail rate	40.4%	27.4%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-20.1 pts	-6.0 pts
Engine size	50cc	49cc
Rank among all models	#5394 of 5428	#4992 of 5428
Median miles at test	13,010	9,874
MOT tests analysed	3,525	40,458
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 RX50	Piaggio NRG
Lights & signalling	31.2%	15.0%
Steering & suspension	21.0%	15.5%
Brakes	17.1%	10.2%
Tyres & wheels	8.3%	4.7%
Drive system	10.1%	0.0%
Fuel & exhaust	5.1%	3.8%
Structure & body	5.0%	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	Aprilia RX50	Piaggio NRG
2018	57.1%	69.2%
2019	57.4%	68.0%
2020	42.9%	71.8%
2021	58.9%	72.9%
2022	51.9%	74.8%
2023	60.5%	77.5%
2024	64.3%	81.9%
2025	73.5%	77.1%

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 RX50	Piaggio NRG
0k-10k miles	56.6%	71.3%
10k-20k miles	47.7%	60.6%
20k-30k miles	49.7%	55.7%
30k-40k miles	42.5%	57.0%
40k-50k miles	36.6%	60.8%

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

Aprilia RX50 vs Piaggio NRG FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Aprilia RX50 or the Piaggio NRG?

The Piaggio NRG passes its MOT first time more often than the Aprilia RX50: 65.5% vs 50.3%, a 15.2-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Piaggio NRG still comes out ahead: -20.1 points vs comparable bikes for the Aprilia RX50, -6.0 for the Piaggio NRG. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Aprilia RX50 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 31.2% of Aprilia RX50 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (21.0%).

What does the Piaggio NRG fail its MOT on most?

Steering & suspension: 15.5% of Piaggio NRG MOT tests failed on it, then lights & signalling (15.0%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Aprilia RX50 or the Piaggio NRG?

At 40k-50k miles the Piaggio NRG passes first time more often: 36.6% for the Aprilia RX50 vs 60.8% for the Piaggio NRG.

APRILIA RX50 50.3% pass · 3,525 tests PIAGGIO NRG 65.5% pass · 40.5k tests

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