MBK Nitro vs Piaggio NRG

The Piaggio NRG passes its MOT first time more often than the MBK Nitro: 65.5% vs 59.8%, a 5.7-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	MBK Nitro	Piaggio NRG
First-time pass rate	59.8%	65.5%
Outright fail rate	32.0%	27.4%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-12.7 pts	-6.0 pts
Engine size	49cc	49cc
Rank among all models	#5222 of 5428	#4992 of 5428
Median miles at test	8,810	9,874
MOT tests analysed	3,071	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	Piaggio NRG
Lights & signalling	22.9%	15.0%
Steering & suspension	13.8%	15.5%
Brakes	13.1%	10.2%
Tyres & wheels	4.7%	4.7%
Fuel & exhaust	4.1%	3.8%
Structure & body	2.3%	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	Piaggio NRG
2015	68.2%	68.8%
2016	69.1%	68.0%
2017	72.3%	72.0%
2018	66.7%	69.2%
2020	66.7%	71.8%
2021	63.3%	72.9%
2022	60.0%	74.8%
2023	70.0%	77.5%

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	Piaggio NRG
0k-10k miles	64.9%	71.3%
10k-20k miles	54.0%	60.6%
20k-30k miles	54.1%	55.7%

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

MBK Nitro vs Piaggio NRG FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

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

The Piaggio NRG passes its MOT first time more often than the MBK Nitro: 65.5% vs 59.8%, a 5.7-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Piaggio NRG still comes out ahead: -12.7 points vs comparable bikes for the MBK Nitro, -6.0 for the Piaggio NRG. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the MBK Nitro fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 22.9% of MBK Nitro MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (13.8%).

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%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the MBK Nitro or the Piaggio NRG?

At 20k-30k miles the Piaggio NRG passes first time more often: 54.1% for the MBK Nitro vs 55.7% for the Piaggio NRG.

MBK NITRO 59.8% pass · 3,071 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.