Yamaha FS1 vs Piaggio NRG

The Yamaha FS1 passes its MOT first time more often than the Piaggio NRG: 82.3% vs 65.5%, a 16.8-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Yamaha FS1	Piaggio NRG
First-time pass rate	82.3%	65.5%
Outright fail rate	10.5%	27.4%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+1.8 pts	-6.0 pts
Engine size	49cc	49cc
Rank among all models	#3130 of 5428	#4992 of 5428
Median miles at test	14,988	9,874
MOT tests analysed	2,677	40,458
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	Yamaha FS1	Piaggio NRG
Lights & signalling	7.2%	15.0%
Steering & suspension	4.1%	15.5%
Brakes	2.9%	10.2%
Tyres & wheels	2.6%	4.7%
Fuel & exhaust	0.9%	3.8%
Structure & body	0.6%	2.5%
Drive system	0.8%	0.0%

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	Yamaha FS1	Piaggio NRG
2018	84.1%	69.2%
2019	93.2%	68.0%
2020	79.5%	71.8%
2021	85.9%	72.9%
2022	82.8%	74.8%
2023	91.3%	77.5%
2024	86.0%	81.9%
2025	94.9%	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	Yamaha FS1	Piaggio NRG
0k-10k miles	85.8%	71.3%
10k-20k miles	81.3%	60.6%
20k-30k miles	78.5%	55.7%
30k-40k miles	77.9%	57.0%
40k-50k miles	81.7%	60.8%

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

Yamaha FS1 vs Piaggio NRG FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Yamaha FS1 or the Piaggio NRG?

The Yamaha FS1 passes its MOT first time more often than the Piaggio NRG: 82.3% vs 65.5%, a 16.8-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Yamaha FS1 still comes out ahead: +1.8 points vs comparable bikes for the Yamaha FS1, -6.0 for the Piaggio NRG. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Yamaha FS1 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 7.2% of Yamaha FS1 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (4.1%).

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 Yamaha FS1 or the Piaggio NRG?

At 40k-50k miles the Yamaha FS1 passes first time more often: 81.7% for the Yamaha FS1 vs 60.8% for the Piaggio NRG.

YAMAHA FS1 82.3% pass · 2,677 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.