SYM Av vs Peugeot Vivacity

The SYM Av passes its MOT first time more often than the Peugeot Vivacity: 79.8% vs 70.4%, a 9.4-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	SYM Av	Peugeot Vivacity
First-time pass rate	79.8%	70.4%
Outright fail rate	13.2%	21.7%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+6.4 pts	-0.9 pts
Engine size	49cc	49cc
Rank among all models	#3628 of 5428	#4699 of 5428
Median miles at test	7,446	11,162
MOT tests analysed	2,362	29,731
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	SYM Av	Peugeot Vivacity
Lights & signalling	6.3%	11.5%
Brakes	4.7%	8.6%
Steering & suspension	2.8%	10.5%
Tyres & wheels	2.7%	4.4%
Structure & body	1.9%	1.6%
Fuel & exhaust	0.1%	1.9%

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	SYM Av	Peugeot Vivacity
2018	78.4%	74.1%
2019	76.5%	72.0%
2020	77.5%	71.5%
2021	81.5%	73.6%
2022	80.7%	71.4%
2023	82.0%	72.7%
2024	74.9%	74.7%
2025	87.6%	73.2%

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	SYM Av	Peugeot Vivacity
0k-10k miles	83.6%	76.6%
10k-20k miles	71.2%	67.9%
20k-30k miles	65.2%	60.8%

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

SYM Av vs Peugeot Vivacity FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the SYM Av or the Peugeot Vivacity?

The SYM Av passes its MOT first time more often than the Peugeot Vivacity: 79.8% vs 70.4%, a 9.4-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the SYM Av still comes out ahead: +6.4 points vs comparable bikes for the SYM Av, -0.9 for the Peugeot Vivacity. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the SYM Av fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 6.3% of SYM Av MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (4.7%).

What does the Peugeot Vivacity fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 11.5% of Peugeot Vivacity MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (10.5%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the SYM Av or the Peugeot Vivacity?

At 20k-30k miles the SYM Av passes first time more often: 65.2% for the SYM Av vs 60.8% for the Peugeot Vivacity.

SYM AV 79.8% pass · 2,362 tests PEUGEOT VIVACITY 70.4% pass · 29.7k tests

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