Gilera SMT vs Peugeot Vivacity

The Peugeot Vivacity passes its MOT first time more often than the Gilera SMT: 70.4% vs 52.7%, a 17.7-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Gilera SMT	Peugeot Vivacity
First-time pass rate	52.7%	70.4%
Outright fail rate	34.4%	21.7%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-18.1 pts	-0.9 pts
Engine size	49cc	49cc
Rank among all models	#5367 of 5428	#4699 of 5428
Median miles at test	12,700	11,162
MOT tests analysed	1,352	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 SMT	Peugeot Vivacity
Lights & signalling	27.7%	11.5%
Steering & suspension	17.8%	10.5%
Brakes	13.1%	8.6%
Drive system	9.0%	0.0%
Tyres & wheels	4.1%	4.4%
Fuel & exhaust	2.8%	1.9%
Structure & body	2.1%	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 SMT	Peugeot Vivacity
2011	48.2%	67.2%
2012	46.3%	66.2%
2013	51.8%	68.2%
2014	59.8%	66.3%
2015	43.4%	68.7%
2016	56.9%	67.8%
2017	58.1%	71.8%
2018	39.4%	74.1%

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 SMT	Peugeot Vivacity
0k-10k miles	60.3%	76.6%
10k-20k miles	48.3%	67.9%
20k-30k miles	51.9%	60.8%
30k-40k miles	35.9%	60.0%

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

Gilera SMT vs Peugeot Vivacity FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

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

The Peugeot Vivacity passes its MOT first time more often than the Gilera SMT: 70.4% vs 52.7%, a 17.7-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Peugeot Vivacity still comes out ahead: -18.1 points vs comparable bikes for the Gilera SMT, -0.9 for the Peugeot Vivacity. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Gilera SMT fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 27.7% of Gilera SMT MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (17.8%).

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 SMT or the Peugeot Vivacity?

At 30k-40k miles the Peugeot Vivacity passes first time more often: 35.9% for the Gilera SMT vs 60.0% for the Peugeot Vivacity.

GILERA SMT 52.7% pass · 1,352 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.