Peugeot Metal-X vs Piaggio Zip

The Piaggio Zip passes its MOT first time more often than the Peugeot Metal-X: 71.3% vs 64.5%, a 6.8-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Peugeot Metal-X	Piaggio Zip
First-time pass rate	64.5%	71.3%
Outright fail rate	27.5%	20.4%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-8.2 pts	-1.0 pts
Engine size	49cc	49cc
Rank among all models	#5038 of 5428	#4631 of 5428
Median miles at test	7,906	8,882
MOT tests analysed	1,033	78,993
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	Peugeot Metal-X	Piaggio Zip
Lights & signalling	18.3%	11.9%
Steering & suspension	11.2%	9.2%
Brakes	13.1%	6.5%
Tyres & wheels	5.6%	4.0%
Fuel & exhaust	2.3%	2.5%
Structure & body	1.5%	1.6%
Drive system	0.1%	0.0%

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	Peugeot Metal-X	Piaggio Zip
2007	68.3%	71.0%
2008	62.9%	72.4%
2009	59.4%	70.0%
2010	53.4%	70.8%
2011	64.0%	69.7%
2012	61.3%	69.1%
2013	61.4%	69.7%
2014	55.8%	68.8%

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	Peugeot Metal-X	Piaggio Zip
0k-10k miles	68.6%	75.2%
10k-20k miles	58.0%	66.7%
20k-30k miles	66.7%	64.4%

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

Peugeot Metal-X vs Piaggio Zip FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Peugeot Metal-X or the Piaggio Zip?

The Piaggio Zip passes its MOT first time more often than the Peugeot Metal-X: 71.3% vs 64.5%, a 6.8-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Piaggio Zip still comes out ahead: -8.2 points vs comparable bikes for the Peugeot Metal-X, -1.0 for the Piaggio Zip. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Peugeot Metal-X fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 18.3% of Peugeot Metal-X MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (13.1%).

What does the Piaggio Zip fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 11.9% of Piaggio Zip MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (9.2%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Peugeot Metal-X or the Piaggio Zip?

At 20k-30k miles the Peugeot Metal-X passes first time more often: 66.7% for the Peugeot Metal-X vs 64.4% for the Piaggio Zip.

PEUGEOT METAL-X 64.5% pass · 1,033 tests PIAGGIO ZIP 71.3% pass · 79.0k tests

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