SYM Red Devil vs Piaggio NRG

The SYM Red Devil passes its MOT first time more often than the Piaggio NRG: 71.3% vs 65.5%, a 5.8-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	SYM Red Devil	Piaggio NRG
First-time pass rate	71.3%	65.5%
Outright fail rate	20.6%	27.4%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+1.0 pts	-6.0 pts
Engine size	49cc	49cc
Rank among all models	#4631 of 5428	#4992 of 5428
Median miles at test	13,764	9,874
MOT tests analysed	1,192	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 Red Devil	Piaggio NRG
Lights & signalling	10.6%	15.0%
Steering & suspension	6.0%	15.5%
Brakes	10.8%	10.2%
Tyres & wheels	4.0%	4.7%
Fuel & exhaust	3.9%	3.8%
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 Red Devil	Piaggio NRG
2007	70.7%	63.9%
2008	66.7%	65.2%
2009	72.3%	62.2%
2010	74.3%	63.2%
2011	63.3%	63.9%
2012	81.0%	63.4%
2013	72.7%	64.1%
2014	75.6%	67.4%

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	Piaggio NRG
0k-10k miles	80.3%	71.3%
10k-20k miles	69.2%	60.6%
20k-30k miles	63.7%	55.7%
30k-40k miles	60.0%	57.0%

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

SYM Red Devil vs Piaggio NRG FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the SYM Red Devil or the Piaggio NRG?

The SYM Red Devil passes its MOT first time more often than the Piaggio NRG: 71.3% vs 65.5%, a 5.8-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, -6.0 for the Piaggio NRG. 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 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 Red Devil or the Piaggio NRG?

At 30k-40k miles the SYM Red Devil passes first time more often: 60.0% for the SYM Red Devil vs 57.0% for the Piaggio NRG.

SYM RED DEVIL 71.3% pass · 1,192 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.