BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ Gilera RCR/vs Peugeot Vivacity
Head-to-head · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

Gilera RCR vs Peugeot Vivacity

The Peugeot Vivacity passes its MOT first time more often than the Gilera RCR: 70.4% vs 50.5%, a 19.9-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
Metric Gilera RCR Peugeot Vivacity
First-time pass rate 50.5% 70.4%
Outright fail rate 37.3% 21.7%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) -19.8 pts -0.9 pts
Engine size 49cc 49cc
Rank among all models #5392 of 5428 #4699 of 5428
Median miles at test 14,003 11,162
MOT tests analysed 1,530 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 Gilera RCR Peugeot Vivacity
Lights & signalling 30.2% 11.5%
Steering & suspension 18.8% 10.5%
Brakes 14.1% 8.6%
Tyres & wheels 6.9% 4.4%
Drive system 10.9% 0.0%
Fuel & exhaust 3.4% 1.9%
Structure & body 2.6% 1.6%

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 Gilera RCR Peugeot Vivacity
2010 44.3% 69.9%
2011 48.5% 67.2%
2012 43.0% 66.2%
2013 54.6% 68.2%
2014 57.4% 66.3%
2015 48.7% 68.7%
2016 47.4% 67.8%
2017 59.2% 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 Gilera RCR Peugeot Vivacity
0k-10k miles 53.6% 76.6%
10k-20k miles 48.9% 67.9%
20k-30k miles 49.7% 60.8%
30k-40k miles 40.7% 60.0%

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

Gilera RCR vs Peugeot Vivacity FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Gilera RCR or the Peugeot Vivacity?

The Peugeot Vivacity passes its MOT first time more often than the Gilera RCR: 70.4% vs 50.5%, a 19.9-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Peugeot Vivacity still comes out ahead: -19.8 points vs comparable bikes for the Gilera RCR, -0.9 for the Peugeot Vivacity. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Gilera RCR fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 30.2% of Gilera RCR MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (18.8%).

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 Gilera RCR or the Peugeot Vivacity?

At 30k-40k miles the Peugeot Vivacity passes first time more often: 40.7% for the Gilera RCR vs 60.0% for the Peugeot Vivacity.

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