SYM Red Devil vs Peugeot Speedfight

The SYM Red Devil passes its MOT first time more often than the Peugeot Speedfight: 71.3% vs 65.2%, a 6.1-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	SYM Red Devil	Peugeot Speedfight
First-time pass rate	71.3%	65.2%
Outright fail rate	20.6%	26.3%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+1.0 pts	-5.3 pts
Engine size	49cc	49cc
Rank among all models	#4631 of 5428	#5008 of 5428
Median miles at test	13,764	13,547
MOT tests analysed	1,192	83,728
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 Red Devil	Peugeot Speedfight
Lights & signalling	10.6%	15.4%
Brakes	10.8%	10.8%
Steering & suspension	6.0%	12.9%
Tyres & wheels	4.0%	4.7%
Fuel & exhaust	3.9%	2.5%
Structure & body	1.6%	2.3%

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 Red Devil	Peugeot Speedfight
2007	70.7%	65.8%
2008	66.7%	63.7%
2009	72.3%	62.9%
2010	74.3%	62.0%
2011	63.3%	60.9%
2012	81.0%	61.2%
2013	72.7%	61.2%
2014	75.6%	61.7%

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 Red Devil	Peugeot Speedfight
0k-10k miles	80.3%	73.1%
10k-20k miles	69.2%	63.3%
20k-30k miles	63.7%	58.2%
30k-40k miles	60.0%	56.6%

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

SYM Red Devil vs Peugeot Speedfight FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the SYM Red Devil or the Peugeot Speedfight?

The SYM Red Devil passes its MOT first time more often than the Peugeot Speedfight: 71.3% vs 65.2%, a 6.1-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the SYM Red Devil still comes out ahead: +1.0 points vs comparable bikes for the SYM Red Devil, -5.3 for the Peugeot Speedfight. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the SYM Red Devil fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 10.8% of SYM Red Devil MOT tests failed on it, then lights & signalling (10.6%).

What does the Peugeot Speedfight fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 15.4% of Peugeot Speedfight MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (12.9%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the SYM Red Devil or the Peugeot Speedfight?

At 30k-40k miles the SYM Red Devil passes first time more often: 60.0% for the SYM Red Devil vs 56.6% for the Peugeot Speedfight.

SYM RED DEVIL 71.3% pass · 1,192 tests PEUGEOT SPEEDFIGHT 65.2% pass · 83.7k tests

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