Longjia LJ vs Piaggio Zip

The Piaggio Zip passes its MOT first time more often than the Longjia LJ: 71.3% vs 66.6%, a 4.7-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Longjia LJ	Piaggio Zip
First-time pass rate	66.6%	71.3%
Outright fail rate	24.8%	20.4%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-9.3 pts	-1.0 pts
Engine size	50cc	49cc
Rank among all models	#4931 of 5428	#4631 of 5428
Median miles at test	6,358	8,882
MOT tests analysed	2,957	78,993
Most common failure	lamps and reflectors	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	Longjia LJ	Piaggio Zip
Lights & signalling	16.8%	11.9%
Steering & suspension	10.7%	9.2%
Brakes	7.2%	6.5%
Tyres & wheels	4.9%	4.0%
Structure & body	4.0%	1.6%
Fuel & exhaust	0.0%	2.5%

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	Longjia LJ	Piaggio Zip
2018	65.2%	72.9%
2019	65.3%	73.0%
2020	73.0%	73.1%
2021	66.6%	73.3%
2022	62.8%	74.5%
2023	65.7%	74.1%
2024	65.1%	73.4%
2025	65.0%	76.2%

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	Longjia LJ	Piaggio Zip
0k-10k miles	66.1%	75.2%
10k-20k miles	60.8%	66.7%
20k-30k miles	60.3%	64.4%

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

Longjia LJ vs Piaggio Zip FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Longjia LJ or the Piaggio Zip?

The Piaggio Zip passes its MOT first time more often than the Longjia LJ: 71.3% vs 66.6%, a 4.7-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Piaggio Zip still comes out ahead: -9.3 points vs comparable bikes for the Longjia LJ, -1.0 for the Piaggio Zip. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Longjia LJ fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 16.8% of Longjia LJ MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (10.7%).

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 Longjia LJ or the Piaggio Zip?

At 20k-30k miles the Piaggio Zip passes first time more often: 60.3% for the Longjia LJ vs 64.4% for the Piaggio Zip.

LONGJIA LJ 66.6% pass · 2,957 tests PIAGGIO ZIP 71.3% pass · 79.0k tests

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