TGB 101R vs Piaggio Zip

The TGB 101R passes its MOT first time more often than the Piaggio Zip: 71.5% vs 71.3%, a 0.2-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	TGB 101R	Piaggio Zip
First-time pass rate	71.5%	71.3%
Outright fail rate	19.3%	20.4%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-3.9 pts	-1.0 pts
Engine size	49cc	49cc
Rank among all models	#4614 of 5428	#4631 of 5428
Median miles at test	4,854	8,882
MOT tests analysed	601	78,993
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

share of each bike's MOT tests that failed on the component · lower is better

Component	TGB 101R	Piaggio Zip
Lights & signalling	8.5%	11.9%
Steering & suspension	7.8%	9.2%
Brakes	9.5%	6.5%
Tyres & wheels	3.5%	4.0%
Fuel & exhaust	1.0%	2.5%
Structure & body	0.2%	1.6%

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	TGB 101R	Piaggio Zip
2010	76.6%	70.8%
2011	70.2%	69.7%
2012	77.3%	69.1%
2013	63.3%	69.7%
2014	71.8%	68.8%
2015	76.8%	69.8%
2016	71.8%	71.0%
2017	71.0%	71.7%

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	TGB 101R	Piaggio Zip
0k-10k miles	72.8%	75.2%
10k-20k miles	61.0%	66.7%

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

TGB 101R vs Piaggio Zip FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the TGB 101R or the Piaggio Zip?

The TGB 101R passes its MOT first time more often than the Piaggio Zip: 71.5% vs 71.3%, a 0.2-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Piaggio Zip still comes out ahead: -3.9 points vs comparable bikes for the TGB 101R, -1.0 for the Piaggio Zip. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the TGB 101R fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 9.5% of TGB 101R MOT tests failed on it, then lights & signalling (8.5%).

What does the Piaggio Zip fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 11.9% of Piaggio Zip MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (9.2%).

TGB 101R 71.5% pass · 601 tests PIAGGIO ZIP 71.3% pass · 79.0k tests

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