Puch Maxi vs Piaggio NRG

The Puch Maxi passes its MOT first time more often than the Piaggio NRG: 85.6% vs 65.5%, a 20.1-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Puch Maxi	Piaggio NRG
First-time pass rate	85.6%	65.5%
Outright fail rate	8.8%	27.4%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+2.1 pts	-6.0 pts
Engine size	49cc	49cc
Rank among all models	#2333 of 5428	#4992 of 5428
Median miles at test	4,518	9,874
MOT tests analysed	2,432	40,458
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	Puch Maxi	Piaggio NRG
Lights & signalling	3.6%	15.0%
Steering & suspension	2.8%	15.5%
Brakes	3.5%	10.2%
Tyres & wheels	2.2%	4.7%
Fuel & exhaust	1.0%	3.8%
Structure & body	0.3%	2.5%
Drive system	0.8%	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	Puch Maxi	Piaggio NRG
2014	83.2%	67.4%
2015	86.4%	68.8%
2016	87.3%	68.0%
2017	86.6%	72.0%
2018	86.3%	69.2%
2019	79.3%	68.0%
2020	94.4%	71.8%
2021	86.0%	72.9%

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	Puch Maxi	Piaggio NRG
0k-10k miles	85.6%	71.3%
10k-20k miles	85.4%	60.6%

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

Puch Maxi vs Piaggio NRG FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Puch Maxi or the Piaggio NRG?

The Puch Maxi passes its MOT first time more often than the Piaggio NRG: 85.6% vs 65.5%, a 20.1-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Puch Maxi still comes out ahead: +2.1 points vs comparable bikes for the Puch Maxi, -6.0 for the Piaggio NRG. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Puch Maxi fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 3.6% of Puch Maxi MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (3.5%).

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%).

PUCH MAXI 85.6% pass · 2,432 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.