BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ Pgo G-Max/vs Piaggio Zip
Head-to-head · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

Pgo G-Max vs Piaggio Zip

The Pgo G-Max passes its MOT first time more often than the Piaggio Zip: 73.5% vs 71.3%, a 2.2-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
Metric Pgo G-Max Piaggio Zip
First-time pass rate 73.5% 71.3%
Outright fail rate 18.0% 20.4%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) +1.8 pts -1.0 pts
Engine size 50cc 49cc
Rank among all models #4452 of 5428 #4631 of 5428
Median miles at test 10,938 8,882
MOT tests analysed 908 78,993
Most common failure brakes 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 Pgo G-Max Piaggio Zip
Lights & signalling 8.7% 11.9%
Brakes 8.3% 6.5%
Steering & suspension 3.1% 9.2%
Tyres & wheels 6.4% 4.0%
Fuel & exhaust 1.5% 2.5%
Structure & body 2.3% 1.6%

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 Pgo G-Max Piaggio Zip
2012 65.0% 69.1%
2013 75.0% 69.7%
2014 68.0% 68.8%
2015 75.0% 69.8%
2016 77.8% 71.0%
2017 79.4% 71.7%
2018 62.8% 72.9%
2019 71.1% 73.0%

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 Pgo G-Max Piaggio Zip
0k-10k miles 79.3% 75.2%
10k-20k miles 69.3% 66.7%
20k-30k miles 64.4% 64.4%
30k-40k miles 84.8% 64.5%

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

Pgo G-Max vs Piaggio Zip FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Pgo G-Max or the Piaggio Zip?

The Pgo G-Max passes its MOT first time more often than the Piaggio Zip: 73.5% vs 71.3%, a 2.2-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Pgo G-Max still comes out ahead: +1.8 points vs comparable bikes for the Pgo G-Max, -1.0 for the Piaggio Zip. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Pgo G-Max fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 8.7% of Pgo G-Max MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (8.3%).

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 Pgo G-Max or the Piaggio Zip?

At 30k-40k miles the Pgo G-Max passes first time more often: 84.8% for the Pgo G-Max vs 64.5% for the Piaggio Zip.

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