MBK Nitro (Y050) vs Piaggio NRG

The Piaggio NRG passes its MOT first time more often than the MBK Nitro (Y050): 65.5% vs 53.9%, a 11.6-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	MBK Nitro (Y050)	Piaggio NRG
First-time pass rate	53.9%	65.5%
Outright fail rate	38.6%	27.4%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-17.5 pts	-6.0 pts
Engine size	49cc	49cc
Rank among all models	#5352 of 5428	#4992 of 5428
Median miles at test	9,443	9,874
MOT tests analysed	536	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 Nitro (Y050)	Piaggio NRG
Lights & signalling	30.0%	15.0%
Steering & suspension	15.5%	15.5%
Brakes	16.8%	10.2%
Fuel & exhaust	8.0%	3.8%
Tyres & wheels	5.4%	4.7%
Structure & body	3.0%	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	MBK Nitro (Y050)	Piaggio NRG
2006	54.0%	64.7%
2007	47.6%	63.9%
2008	50.9%	65.2%
2009	58.1%	62.2%

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	MBK Nitro (Y050)	Piaggio NRG
0k-10k miles	59.5%	71.3%
10k-20k miles	48.9%	60.6%

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

MBK Nitro (Y050) vs Piaggio NRG FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the MBK Nitro (Y050) or the Piaggio NRG?

The Piaggio NRG passes its MOT first time more often than the MBK Nitro (Y050): 65.5% vs 53.9%, a 11.6-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Piaggio NRG still comes out ahead: -17.5 points vs comparable bikes for the MBK Nitro (Y050), -6.0 for the Piaggio NRG. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the MBK Nitro (Y050) fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 30.0% of MBK Nitro (Y050) MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (16.8%).

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%).

MBK NITRO (Y050) 53.9% pass · 536 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.