MBK Rocket vs Piaggio NRG

The MBK Rocket passes its MOT first time more often than the Piaggio NRG: 66.5% vs 65.5%, a 1.0-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	MBK Rocket	Piaggio NRG
First-time pass rate	66.5%	65.5%
Outright fail rate	26.5%	27.4%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-7.7 pts	-6.0 pts
Engine size	49cc	49cc
Rank among all models	#4940 of 5428	#4992 of 5428
Median miles at test	7,558	9,874
MOT tests analysed	543	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 Rocket	Piaggio NRG
Lights & signalling	17.3%	15.0%
Steering & suspension	12.7%	15.5%
Brakes	8.8%	10.2%
Tyres & wheels	5.3%	4.7%
Fuel & exhaust	3.1%	3.8%
Structure & body	1.5%	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	MBK Rocket	Piaggio NRG
2006	70.3%	64.7%
2007	61.2%	63.9%
2008	71.4%	65.2%
2009	62.5%	62.2%
2010	70.5%	63.2%
2011	75.0%	63.9%
2012	51.5%	63.4%

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 Rocket	Piaggio NRG
0k-10k miles	68.0%	71.3%
10k-20k miles	64.0%	60.6%

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

MBK Rocket vs Piaggio NRG FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

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

The MBK Rocket passes its MOT first time more often than the Piaggio NRG: 66.5% vs 65.5%, a 1.0-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Piaggio NRG still comes out ahead: -7.7 points vs comparable bikes for the MBK Rocket, -6.0 for the Piaggio NRG. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the MBK Rocket fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 17.3% of MBK Rocket MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (12.7%).

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 ROCKET 66.5% pass · 543 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.