BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
Head-to-head · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

Aprilia SX 50 MY06 vs Piaggio Zip

The Piaggio Zip passes its MOT first time more often than the Aprilia SX 50 MY06: 71.3% vs 55.3%, a 16.0-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
Metric Aprilia SX 50 MY06 Piaggio Zip
First-time pass rate 55.3% 71.3%
Outright fail rate 33.8% 20.4%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) -14.5 pts -1.0 pts
Engine size 50cc 49cc
Rank among all models #5335 of 5428 #4631 of 5428
Median miles at test 11,143 8,882
MOT tests analysed 1,349 78,993
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 SX 50 MY06 Piaggio Zip
Lights & signalling 25.9% 11.9%
Steering & suspension 15.9% 9.2%
Brakes 13.6% 6.5%
Tyres & wheels 4.8% 4.0%
Drive system 7.6% 0.0%
Structure & body 5.0% 1.6%
Fuel & exhaust 1.6% 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 SX 50 MY06 Piaggio Zip
2018 65.8% 72.9%
2019 46.0% 73.0%
2020 63.8% 73.1%
2021 62.9% 73.3%
2022 58.1% 74.5%
2023 66.7% 74.1%
2024 64.5% 73.4%
2025 61.4% 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 Aprilia SX 50 MY06 Piaggio Zip
0k-10k miles 56.5% 75.2%
10k-20k miles 56.2% 66.7%
20k-30k miles 58.5% 64.4%

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

Aprilia SX 50 MY06 vs Piaggio Zip FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Aprilia SX 50 MY06 or the Piaggio Zip?

The Piaggio Zip passes its MOT first time more often than the Aprilia SX 50 MY06: 71.3% vs 55.3%, a 16.0-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Piaggio Zip still comes out ahead: -14.5 points vs comparable bikes for the Aprilia SX 50 MY06, -1.0 for the Piaggio Zip. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Aprilia SX 50 MY06 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 25.9% of Aprilia SX 50 MY06 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (15.9%).

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%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Aprilia SX 50 MY06 or the Piaggio Zip?

At 20k-30k miles the Piaggio Zip passes first time more often: 58.5% for the Aprilia SX 50 MY06 vs 64.4% for the Piaggio Zip.

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