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

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

Kymco Spacer vs Peugeot Vivacity

The Kymco Spacer passes its MOT first time more often than the Peugeot Vivacity: 74.0% vs 70.4%, a 3.6-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
Metric Kymco Spacer Peugeot Vivacity
First-time pass rate 74.0% 70.4%
Outright fail rate 18.5% 21.7%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) +2.8 pts -0.9 pts
Engine size 50cc 49cc
Rank among all models #4397 of 5428 #4699 of 5428
Median miles at test 12,719 11,162
MOT tests analysed 1,243 29,731
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

share of each bike's MOT tests that failed on the component · lower is better
Component Kymco Spacer Peugeot Vivacity
Lights & signalling 6.4% 11.5%
Brakes 8.7% 8.6%
Steering & suspension 5.6% 10.5%
Tyres & wheels 7.2% 4.4%
Fuel & exhaust 2.3% 1.9%
Structure & body 0.8% 1.6%
Drive system 0.2% 0.0%

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 Kymco Spacer Peugeot Vivacity
2010 77.9% 69.9%
2011 72.3% 67.2%
2012 68.3% 66.2%
2013 74.0% 68.2%
2014 81.5% 66.3%
2015 84.0% 68.7%
2016 75.0% 67.8%
2017 81.3% 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 Kymco Spacer Peugeot Vivacity
0k-10k miles 79.6% 76.6%
10k-20k miles 73.4% 67.9%
20k-30k miles 69.3% 60.8%
30k-40k miles 70.4% 60.0%
40k-50k miles 57.1% 59.1%

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

Kymco Spacer vs Peugeot Vivacity FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Kymco Spacer or the Peugeot Vivacity?

The Kymco Spacer passes its MOT first time more often than the Peugeot Vivacity: 74.0% vs 70.4%, a 3.6-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Kymco Spacer still comes out ahead: +2.8 points vs comparable bikes for the Kymco Spacer, -0.9 for the Peugeot Vivacity. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Kymco Spacer fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 8.7% of Kymco Spacer MOT tests failed on it, then tyres & wheels (7.2%).

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 Kymco Spacer or the Peugeot Vivacity?

At 40k-50k miles the Peugeot Vivacity passes first time more often: 57.1% for the Kymco Spacer vs 59.1% for the Peugeot Vivacity.

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