Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
Kymco Downtown vs Piaggio X9
The Kymco Downtown passes its MOT first time more often than the Piaggio X9: 81.4% vs 77.0%, a 4.4-point lead.
MOT reliability, side by side
| Metric | Kymco Downtown | Piaggio X9 |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 81.4% | 77.0% |
| Outright fail rate | 14.5% | 17.5% |
| Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) | -1.0 pts | -4.4 pts |
| Engine size | 299cc | 244cc |
| Rank among all models | #3291 of 5428 | #4065 of 5428 |
| Median miles at test | 11,018 | 12,186 |
| MOT tests analysed | 1,320 | 21,703 |
| Most common failure | brakes | steering and suspension |
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 | Kymco Downtown | Piaggio X9 |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 7.6% | 6.5% |
| Steering & suspension | 4.4% | 7.5% |
| Lights & signalling | 2.9% | 7.3% |
| Tyres & wheels | 4.7% | 4.2% |
| Fuel & exhaust | 0% | 1.8% |
| Structure & body | 0.4% | 0.8% |
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
| Test year | Kymco Downtown | Piaggio X9 |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 75.0% | 78.1% |
| 2019 | 79.3% | 78.0% |
| 2020 | 83.5% | 75.0% |
| 2021 | 82.9% | 74.9% |
| 2022 | 76.6% | 77.2% |
| 2023 | 83.6% | 80.3% |
| 2024 | 84.2% | 75.6% |
| 2025 | 86.7% | 78.4% |
Each year mixes bikes of different ages, so a fleet that is getting older tends to slip.
Pass rate by mileage
| Mileage | Kymco Downtown | Piaggio X9 |
|---|---|---|
| 0k-10k miles | 84.0% | 81.4% |
| 10k-20k miles | 80.6% | 75.8% |
| 20k-30k miles | 80.6% | 72.4% |
| 30k-40k miles | 74.6% | 70.1% |
| 40k-50k miles | 78.0% | 71.1% |
Bands with fewer than 30 tests for either bike are left out.
Kymco Downtown vs Piaggio X9 FAQ
Which is more reliable, the Kymco Downtown or the Piaggio X9?
The Kymco Downtown passes its MOT first time more often than the Piaggio X9: 81.4% vs 77.0%, a 4.4-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Kymco Downtown still comes out ahead: -1.0 points vs comparable bikes for the Kymco Downtown, -4.4 for the Piaggio X9. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.
What does the Kymco Downtown fail its MOT on most?
Brakes: 7.6% of Kymco Downtown MOT tests failed on it, then tyres & wheels (4.7%).
What does the Piaggio X9 fail its MOT on most?
Steering & suspension: 7.5% of Piaggio X9 MOT tests failed on it, then lights & signalling (7.3%).
Which holds up better at high mileage, the Kymco Downtown or the Piaggio X9?
At 40k-50k miles the Kymco Downtown passes first time more often: 78.0% for the Kymco Downtown vs 71.1% for the Piaggio X9.
See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.