Aprilia Sonic vs Peugeot Speedfight

The Aprilia Sonic passes its MOT first time more often than the Peugeot Speedfight: 65.6% vs 65.2%, a 0.4-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Aprilia Sonic	Peugeot Speedfight
First-time pass rate	65.6%	65.2%
Outright fail rate	26.7%	26.3%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-6.4 pts	-5.3 pts
Engine size	49cc	49cc
Rank among all models	#4988 of 5428	#5008 of 5428
Median miles at test	9,534	13,547
MOT tests analysed	2,287	83,728
Most common failure	steering and suspension	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 Sonic	Peugeot Speedfight
Steering & suspension	16.6%	12.9%
Lights & signalling	14.0%	15.4%
Brakes	10.2%	10.8%
Tyres & wheels	3.9%	4.7%
Fuel & exhaust	5.0%	2.5%
Structure & body	1.4%	2.3%

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 Sonic	Peugeot Speedfight
2012	61.3%	61.2%
2013	64.8%	61.2%
2014	66.7%	61.7%
2015	71.0%	64.4%
2016	69.0%	63.0%
2017	55.9%	68.5%
2018	61.3%	69.6%
2019	67.7%	68.9%

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 Sonic	Peugeot Speedfight
0k-10k miles	70.0%	73.1%
10k-20k miles	59.0%	63.3%
20k-30k miles	68.8%	58.2%

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

Aprilia Sonic vs Peugeot Speedfight FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Aprilia Sonic or the Peugeot Speedfight?

The Aprilia Sonic passes its MOT first time more often than the Peugeot Speedfight: 65.6% vs 65.2%, a 0.4-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Peugeot Speedfight still comes out ahead: -6.4 points vs comparable bikes for the Aprilia Sonic, -5.3 for the Peugeot Speedfight. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Aprilia Sonic fail its MOT on most?

Steering & suspension: 16.6% of Aprilia Sonic MOT tests failed on it, then lights & signalling (14.0%).

What does the Peugeot Speedfight fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 15.4% of Peugeot Speedfight MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (12.9%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Aprilia Sonic or the Peugeot Speedfight?

At 20k-30k miles the Aprilia Sonic passes first time more often: 68.8% for the Aprilia Sonic vs 58.2% for the Peugeot Speedfight.

APRILIA SONIC 65.6% pass · 2,287 tests PEUGEOT SPEEDFIGHT 65.2% pass · 83.7k tests

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