Benelli 491 vs Piaggio NRG

The Benelli 491 passes its MOT first time more often than the Piaggio NRG: 71.0% vs 65.5%, a 5.5-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Benelli 491	Piaggio NRG
First-time pass rate	71.0%	65.5%
Outright fail rate	23.1%	27.4%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-2.3 pts	-6.0 pts
Engine size	49cc	49cc
Rank among all models	#4664 of 5428	#4992 of 5428
Median miles at test	8,562	9,874
MOT tests analysed	903	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	Benelli 491	Piaggio NRG
Steering & suspension	12.7%	15.5%
Lights & signalling	12.1%	15.0%
Brakes	6.4%	10.2%
Tyres & wheels	3.9%	4.7%
Structure & body	4.7%	2.5%
Fuel & exhaust	2.9%	3.8%

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	Benelli 491	Piaggio NRG
2007	69.3%	63.9%
2008	69.2%	65.2%
2009	63.0%	62.2%
2010	72.7%	63.2%
2011	75.8%	63.9%
2012	70.2%	63.4%
2013	71.1%	64.1%
2014	74.2%	67.4%

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	Benelli 491	Piaggio NRG
0k-10k miles	76.3%	71.3%
10k-20k miles	63.3%	60.6%
20k-30k miles	67.2%	55.7%

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

Benelli 491 vs Piaggio NRG FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Benelli 491 or the Piaggio NRG?

The Benelli 491 passes its MOT first time more often than the Piaggio NRG: 71.0% vs 65.5%, a 5.5-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Benelli 491 still comes out ahead: -2.3 points vs comparable bikes for the Benelli 491, -6.0 for the Piaggio NRG. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Benelli 491 fail its MOT on most?

Steering & suspension: 12.7% of Benelli 491 MOT tests failed on it, then lights & signalling (12.1%).

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 Benelli 491 or the Piaggio NRG?

At 20k-30k miles the Benelli 491 passes first time more often: 67.2% for the Benelli 491 vs 55.7% for the Piaggio NRG.

BENELLI 491 71.0% pass · 903 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.