Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
Honda NSC vs Piaggio Zip
The Honda NSC passes its MOT first time more often than the Piaggio Zip: 84.9% vs 71.3%, a 13.6-point lead.
MOT reliability, side by side
| Metric | Honda NSC | Piaggio Zip |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 84.9% | 71.3% |
| Outright fail rate | 9.4% | 20.4% |
| Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) | +11.6 pts | -1.0 pts |
| Engine size | 49cc | 49cc |
| Rank among all models | #2516 of 5428 | #4631 of 5428 |
| Median miles at test | 7,376 | 8,882 |
| MOT tests analysed | 9,547 | 78,993 |
| Most common failure | brakes | 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
| Component | Honda NSC | Piaggio Zip |
|---|---|---|
| Lights & signalling | 3.5% | 11.9% |
| Steering & suspension | 4.8% | 9.2% |
| Brakes | 3.6% | 6.5% |
| Tyres & wheels | 2.0% | 4.0% |
| Fuel & exhaust | 0.0% | 2.5% |
| Structure & body | 0.3% | 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
| Test year | Honda NSC | Piaggio Zip |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 87.8% | 72.9% |
| 2019 | 84.8% | 73.0% |
| 2020 | 88.5% | 73.1% |
| 2021 | 85.2% | 73.3% |
| 2022 | 84.9% | 74.5% |
| 2023 | 81.4% | 74.1% |
| 2024 | 80.3% | 73.4% |
| 2025 | 82.4% | 76.2% |
Each year mixes bikes of different ages, so a fleet that is getting older tends to slip.
Pass rate by mileage
| Mileage | Honda NSC | Piaggio Zip |
|---|---|---|
| 0k-10k miles | 89.0% | 75.2% |
| 10k-20k miles | 76.8% | 66.7% |
| 20k-30k miles | 75.8% | 64.4% |
| 30k-40k miles | 72.4% | 64.5% |
| 40k-50k miles | 76.9% | 65.4% |
Bands with fewer than 30 tests for either bike are left out.
Honda NSC vs Piaggio Zip FAQ
Which is more reliable, the Honda NSC or the Piaggio Zip?
The Honda NSC passes its MOT first time more often than the Piaggio Zip: 84.9% vs 71.3%, a 13.6-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Honda NSC still comes out ahead: +11.6 points vs comparable bikes for the Honda NSC, -1.0 for the Piaggio Zip. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.
What does the Honda NSC fail its MOT on most?
Steering & suspension: 4.8% of Honda NSC MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (3.6%).
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 Honda NSC or the Piaggio Zip?
At 40k-50k miles the Honda NSC passes first time more often: 76.9% for the Honda NSC vs 65.4% for the Piaggio Zip.
See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.