SYM Mask vs Piaggio NRG

The SYM Mask passes its MOT first time more often than the Piaggio NRG: 76.4% vs 65.5%, a 10.9-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	SYM Mask	Piaggio NRG
First-time pass rate	76.4%	65.5%
Outright fail rate	18.5%	27.4%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+5.4 pts	-6.0 pts
Engine size	49cc	49cc
Rank among all models	#4137 of 5428	#4992 of 5428
Median miles at test	11,386	9,874
MOT tests analysed	922	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	Piaggio NRG
Lights & signalling	8.5%	15.0%
Steering & suspension	5.3%	15.5%
Brakes	8.1%	10.2%
Fuel & exhaust	3.6%	3.8%
Tyres & wheels	2.4%	4.7%
Structure & body	1.6%	2.5%

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	Piaggio NRG
2009	76.8%	62.2%
2010	76.7%	63.2%
2011	74.7%	63.9%
2012	74.3%	63.4%
2013	73.1%	64.1%
2014	51.7%	67.4%
2015	78.4%	68.8%
2016	80.6%	68.0%

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	Piaggio NRG
0k-10k miles	81.0%	71.3%
10k-20k miles	76.6%	60.6%
20k-30k miles	65.6%	55.7%

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

SYM Mask vs Piaggio NRG FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

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

The SYM Mask passes its MOT first time more often than the Piaggio NRG: 76.4% vs 65.5%, a 10.9-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the SYM Mask still comes out ahead: +5.4 points vs comparable bikes for the SYM Mask, -6.0 for the Piaggio NRG. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the SYM Mask fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 8.5% of SYM Mask MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (8.1%).

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 Mask or the Piaggio NRG?

At 20k-30k miles the SYM Mask passes first time more often: 65.6% for the SYM Mask vs 55.7% for the Piaggio NRG.

SYM MASK 76.4% pass · 922 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.