Pulse BT vs Piaggio NRG

The Pulse BT passes its MOT first time more often than the Piaggio NRG: 68.7% vs 65.5%, a 3.2-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Pulse BT	Piaggio NRG
First-time pass rate	68.7%	65.5%
Outright fail rate	21.3%	27.4%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-7.4 pts	-6.0 pts
Engine size	49cc	49cc
Rank among all models	#4812 of 5428	#4992 of 5428
Median miles at test	4,196	9,874
MOT tests analysed	1,824	40,458
Most common failure	lamps and reflectors	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	Pulse BT	Piaggio NRG
Lights & signalling	13.7%	15.0%
Steering & suspension	8.4%	15.5%
Brakes	6.0%	10.2%
Tyres & wheels	3.5%	4.7%
Structure & body	3.5%	2.5%
Fuel & exhaust	1.5%	3.8%

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	Pulse BT	Piaggio NRG
2018	68.3%	69.2%
2019	67.5%	68.0%
2020	73.8%	71.8%
2021	72.1%	72.9%
2022	63.4%	74.8%
2023	75.5%	77.5%
2024	71.9%	81.9%
2025	64.3%	77.1%

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	Pulse BT	Piaggio NRG
0k-10k miles	69.4%	71.3%
10k-20k miles	61.1%	60.6%

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

Pulse BT vs Piaggio NRG FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Pulse BT or the Piaggio NRG?

The Pulse BT passes its MOT first time more often than the Piaggio NRG: 68.7% vs 65.5%, a 3.2-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Piaggio NRG still comes out ahead: -7.4 points vs comparable bikes for the Pulse BT, -6.0 for the Piaggio NRG. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Pulse BT fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 13.7% of Pulse BT MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (8.4%).

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%).

PULSE BT 68.7% pass · 1,824 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.