Generic Trigger SM 50 vs Peugeot Vivacity

The Peugeot Vivacity passes its MOT first time more often than the Generic Trigger SM 50: 70.4% vs 52.6%, a 17.8-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Generic Trigger SM 50	Peugeot Vivacity
First-time pass rate	52.6%	70.4%
Outright fail rate	36.5%	21.7%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-19.9 pts	-0.9 pts
Engine size	50cc	49cc
Rank among all models	#5368 of 5428	#4699 of 5428
Median miles at test	8,779	11,162
MOT tests analysed	620	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	Generic Trigger SM 50	Peugeot Vivacity
Lights & signalling	25.3%	11.5%
Steering & suspension	19.4%	10.5%
Brakes	13.2%	8.6%
Structure & body	7.9%	1.6%
Drive system	9.4%	0.0%
Fuel & exhaust	3.9%	1.9%
Tyres & wheels	1.3%	4.4%

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	Generic Trigger SM 50	Peugeot Vivacity
2011	63.4%	67.2%
2012	47.1%	66.2%
2013	54.7%	68.2%
2014	44.3%	66.3%
2015	55.3%	68.7%
2016	58.4%	67.8%
2017	51.0%	71.8%

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	Generic Trigger SM 50	Peugeot Vivacity
0k-10k miles	54.5%	76.6%
10k-20k miles	47.9%	67.9%
20k-30k miles	50.0%	60.8%

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

Generic Trigger SM 50 vs Peugeot Vivacity FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Generic Trigger SM 50 or the Peugeot Vivacity?

The Peugeot Vivacity passes its MOT first time more often than the Generic Trigger SM 50: 70.4% vs 52.6%, a 17.8-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Peugeot Vivacity still comes out ahead: -19.9 points vs comparable bikes for the Generic Trigger SM 50, -0.9 for the Peugeot Vivacity. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Generic Trigger SM 50 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 25.3% of Generic Trigger SM 50 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (19.4%).

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 Generic Trigger SM 50 or the Peugeot Vivacity?

At 20k-30k miles the Peugeot Vivacity passes first time more often: 50.0% for the Generic Trigger SM 50 vs 60.8% for the Peugeot Vivacity.

GENERIC TRIGGER SM 50 52.6% pass · 620 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.