SYM AV05W Symply 50 vs Piaggio NRG

The SYM AV05W Symply 50 passes its MOT first time more often than the Piaggio NRG: 80.5% vs 65.5%, a 15.0-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	SYM AV05W Symply 50	Piaggio NRG
First-time pass rate	80.5%	65.5%
Outright fail rate	13.3%	27.4%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+9.1 pts	-6.0 pts
Engine size	49cc	49cc
Rank among all models	#3478 of 5428	#4992 of 5428
Median miles at test	9,960	9,874
MOT tests analysed	879	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	SYM AV05W Symply 50	Piaggio NRG
Lights & signalling	5.8%	15.0%
Steering & suspension	3.4%	15.5%
Brakes	5.9%	10.2%
Tyres & wheels	1.1%	4.7%
Fuel & exhaust	0.7%	3.8%
Structure & body	1.9%	2.5%
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	SYM AV05W Symply 50	Piaggio NRG
2016	85.6%	68.0%
2017	81.6%	72.0%
2018	77.9%	69.2%
2019	72.2%	68.0%
2020	82.2%	71.8%
2021	76.6%	72.9%
2022	71.8%	74.8%
2023	70.0%	77.5%

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 AV05W Symply 50	Piaggio NRG
0k-10k miles	86.9%	71.3%
10k-20k miles	75.3%	60.6%
20k-30k miles	73.2%	55.7%

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

SYM AV05W Symply 50 vs Piaggio NRG FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the SYM AV05W Symply 50 or the Piaggio NRG?

The SYM AV05W Symply 50 passes its MOT first time more often than the Piaggio NRG: 80.5% vs 65.5%, a 15.0-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the SYM AV05W Symply 50 still comes out ahead: +9.1 points vs comparable bikes for the SYM AV05W Symply 50, -6.0 for the Piaggio NRG. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the SYM AV05W Symply 50 fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 5.9% of SYM AV05W Symply 50 MOT tests failed on it, then lights & signalling (5.8%).

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%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the SYM AV05W Symply 50 or the Piaggio NRG?

At 20k-30k miles the SYM AV05W Symply 50 passes first time more often: 73.2% for the SYM AV05W Symply 50 vs 55.7% for the Piaggio NRG.

SYM AV05W SYMPLY 50 80.5% pass · 879 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.