Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
SYM Shark vs Piaggio Vespa
The Piaggio Vespa passes its MOT first time more often than the SYM Shark: 80.7% vs 77.1%, a 3.6-point lead.
MOT reliability, side by side
| Metric | SYM Shark | Piaggio Vespa |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 77.1% | 80.7% |
| Outright fail rate | 16.1% | 12.2% |
| Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) | +7.1 pts | +5.9 pts |
| Engine size | 124cc | 124cc |
| Rank among all models | #4044 of 5428 | #3439 of 5428 |
| Median miles at test | 16,219 | 10,023 |
| MOT tests analysed | 3,624 | 287,482 |
| Most common failure | lighting and signalling | 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
| Component | SYM Shark | Piaggio Vespa |
|---|---|---|
| Lights & signalling | 7.8% | 6.4% |
| Brakes | 6.0% | 3.5% |
| Tyres & wheels | 5.5% | 3.8% |
| Steering & suspension | 4.2% | 3.2% |
| Fuel & exhaust | 2.3% | 1.3% |
| Structure & body | 0.8% | 1.4% |
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
| Test year | SYM Shark | Piaggio Vespa |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 72.8% | 76.4% |
| 2014 | 81.8% | 76.6% |
| 2015 | 73.0% | 78.4% |
| 2016 | 77.4% | 79.2% |
| 2017 | 64.2% | 81.0% |
| 2018 | 73.3% | 81.5% |
| 2019 | 84.6% | 82.6% |
| 2021 | 77.5% | 85.8% |
Each year mixes bikes of different ages, so a fleet that is getting older tends to slip.
Pass rate by mileage
| Mileage | SYM Shark | Piaggio Vespa |
|---|---|---|
| 0k-10k miles | 85.0% | 85.0% |
| 10k-20k miles | 77.4% | 77.0% |
| 20k-30k miles | 73.5% | 75.3% |
| 30k-40k miles | 68.6% | 75.4% |
| 40k-50k miles | 68.0% | 75.3% |
| 50k-60k miles | 61.1% | 78.7% |
Bands with fewer than 30 tests for either bike are left out.
SYM Shark vs Piaggio Vespa FAQ
Which is more reliable, the SYM Shark or the Piaggio Vespa?
The Piaggio Vespa passes its MOT first time more often than the SYM Shark: 80.7% vs 77.1%, a 3.6-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the SYM Shark still comes out ahead: +7.1 points vs comparable bikes for the SYM Shark, +5.9 for the Piaggio Vespa. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.
What does the SYM Shark fail its MOT on most?
Lights & signalling: 7.8% of SYM Shark MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (6.0%).
What does the Piaggio Vespa fail its MOT on most?
Lights & signalling: 6.4% of Piaggio Vespa MOT tests failed on it, then tyres & wheels (3.8%).
Which holds up better at high mileage, the SYM Shark or the Piaggio Vespa?
At 50k-60k miles the Piaggio Vespa passes first time more often: 61.1% for the SYM Shark vs 78.7% for the Piaggio Vespa.
See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.