SYM Mio vs Piaggio NRG

The SYM Mio passes its MOT first time more often than the Piaggio NRG: 75.0% vs 65.5%, a 9.5-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	SYM Mio	Piaggio NRG
First-time pass rate	75.0%	65.5%
Outright fail rate	15.1%	27.4%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+1.1 pts	-6.0 pts
Engine size	50cc	49cc
Rank among all models	#4300 of 5428	#4992 of 5428
Median miles at test	6,834	9,874
MOT tests analysed	1,957	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 Mio	Piaggio NRG
Lights & signalling	7.8%	15.0%
Brakes	7.4%	10.2%
Steering & suspension	1.8%	15.5%
Tyres & wheels	5.2%	4.7%
Fuel & exhaust	1.3%	3.8%
Structure & body	0.8%	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 Mio	Piaggio NRG
2018	77.5%	69.2%
2019	78.8%	68.0%
2020	76.5%	71.8%
2021	73.4%	72.9%
2022	67.6%	74.8%
2023	82.4%	77.5%
2024	74.5%	81.9%
2025	78.6%	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 Mio	Piaggio NRG
0k-10k miles	78.3%	71.3%
10k-20k miles	68.7%	60.6%
20k-30k miles	65.6%	55.7%
30k-40k miles	59.4%	57.0%

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

SYM Mio vs Piaggio NRG FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

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

The SYM Mio passes its MOT first time more often than the Piaggio NRG: 75.0% vs 65.5%, a 9.5-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the SYM Mio still comes out ahead: +1.1 points vs comparable bikes for the SYM Mio, -6.0 for the Piaggio NRG. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the SYM Mio fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 7.8% of SYM Mio MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (7.4%).

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%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the SYM Mio or the Piaggio NRG?

At 30k-40k miles the SYM Mio passes first time more often: 59.4% for the SYM Mio vs 57.0% for the Piaggio NRG.

SYM MIO 75.0% pass · 1,957 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.