Malaguti Phantom vs Piaggio NRG

The Piaggio NRG passes its MOT first time more often than the Malaguti Phantom: 65.5% vs 64.0%, a 1.5-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Malaguti Phantom	Piaggio NRG
First-time pass rate	64.0%	65.5%
Outright fail rate	28.2%	27.4%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-8.3 pts	-6.0 pts
Engine size	49cc	49cc
Rank among all models	#5059 of 5428	#4992 of 5428
Median miles at test	9,238	9,874
MOT tests analysed	2,643	40,458
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	Malaguti Phantom	Piaggio NRG
Lights & signalling	16.6%	15.0%
Steering & suspension	14.4%	15.5%
Brakes	12.1%	10.2%
Tyres & wheels	5.3%	4.7%
Fuel & exhaust	3.9%	3.8%
Structure & body	2.5%	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	Malaguti Phantom	Piaggio NRG
2012	63.6%	63.4%
2013	65.1%	64.1%
2014	65.9%	67.4%
2015	74.7%	68.8%
2016	70.5%	68.0%
2017	75.0%	72.0%
2018	67.6%	69.2%
2019	45.2%	68.0%

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	Malaguti Phantom	Piaggio NRG
0k-10k miles	67.7%	71.3%
10k-20k miles	61.4%	60.6%
20k-30k miles	52.6%	55.7%
30k-40k miles	74.5%	57.0%

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

Malaguti Phantom vs Piaggio NRG FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Malaguti Phantom or the Piaggio NRG?

The Piaggio NRG passes its MOT first time more often than the Malaguti Phantom: 65.5% vs 64.0%, a 1.5-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Piaggio NRG still comes out ahead: -8.3 points vs comparable bikes for the Malaguti Phantom, -6.0 for the Piaggio NRG. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Malaguti Phantom fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 16.6% of Malaguti Phantom MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (14.4%).

What does the Piaggio NRG fail its MOT on most?

Steering & suspension: 15.5% of Piaggio NRG MOT tests failed on it, then lights & signalling (15.0%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Malaguti Phantom or the Piaggio NRG?

At 30k-40k miles the Malaguti Phantom passes first time more often: 74.5% for the Malaguti Phantom vs 57.0% for the Piaggio NRG.

MALAGUTI PHANTOM 64.0% pass · 2,643 tests PIAGGIO NRG 65.5% pass · 40.5k tests

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