SYM Mask 50 vs Piaggio NRG

The SYM Mask 50 passes its MOT first time more often than the Piaggio NRG: 78.8% vs 65.5%, a 13.3-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	SYM Mask 50	Piaggio NRG
First-time pass rate	78.8%	65.5%
Outright fail rate	13.2%	27.4%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+4.7 pts	-6.0 pts
Engine size	49cc	49cc
Rank among all models	#3805 of 5428	#4992 of 5428
Median miles at test	5,766	9,874
MOT tests analysed	831	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 Mask 50	Piaggio NRG
Lights & signalling	5.9%	15.0%
Steering & suspension	4.0%	15.5%
Brakes	4.9%	10.2%
Tyres & wheels	2.5%	4.7%
Structure & body	2.6%	2.5%
Fuel & exhaust	0.6%	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	SYM Mask 50	Piaggio NRG
2022	84.8%	74.8%
2023	78.4%	77.5%
2024	80.4%	81.9%
2025	78.4%	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	SYM Mask 50	Piaggio NRG
0k-10k miles	80.4%	71.3%
10k-20k miles	73.9%	60.6%

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

SYM Mask 50 vs Piaggio NRG FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

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

The SYM Mask 50 passes its MOT first time more often than the Piaggio NRG: 78.8% vs 65.5%, a 13.3-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the SYM Mask 50 still comes out ahead: +4.7 points vs comparable bikes for the SYM Mask 50, -6.0 for the Piaggio NRG. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the SYM Mask 50 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 5.9% of SYM Mask 50 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (4.9%).

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%).

SYM MASK 50 78.8% pass · 831 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.