MBK Mach G vs Piaggio NRG

The Piaggio NRG passes its MOT first time more often than the MBK Mach G: 65.5% vs 65.3%, a 0.2-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	MBK Mach G	Piaggio NRG
First-time pass rate	65.3%	65.5%
Outright fail rate	26.5%	27.4%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-8.3 pts	-6.0 pts
Engine size	49cc	49cc
Rank among all models	#5002 of 5428	#4992 of 5428
Median miles at test	6,659	9,874
MOT tests analysed	2,103	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	MBK Mach G	Piaggio NRG
Lights & signalling	17.3%	15.0%
Steering & suspension	9.8%	15.5%
Brakes	9.9%	10.2%
Tyres & wheels	3.8%	4.7%
Fuel & exhaust	4.6%	3.8%
Structure & body	2.2%	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	MBK Mach G	Piaggio NRG
2010	58.1%	63.2%
2011	62.6%	63.9%
2012	60.1%	63.4%
2013	63.7%	64.1%
2014	74.2%	67.4%
2015	71.4%	68.8%
2016	60.0%	68.0%
2017	66.7%	72.0%

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	MBK Mach G	Piaggio NRG
0k-10k miles	67.6%	71.3%
10k-20k miles	58.9%	60.6%
20k-30k miles	68.8%	55.7%

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

MBK Mach G vs Piaggio NRG FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the MBK Mach G or the Piaggio NRG?

The Piaggio NRG passes its MOT first time more often than the MBK Mach G: 65.5% vs 65.3%, a 0.2-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Piaggio NRG still comes out ahead: -8.3 points vs comparable bikes for the MBK Mach G, -6.0 for the Piaggio NRG. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the MBK Mach G fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 17.3% of MBK Mach G MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (9.9%).

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 MBK Mach G or the Piaggio NRG?

At 20k-30k miles the MBK Mach G passes first time more often: 68.8% for the MBK Mach G vs 55.7% for the Piaggio NRG.

MBK MACH G 65.3% pass · 2,103 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.