LAMBRETTA 125 SPECIAL

125cc Petrol Class 1

#1575 of 5426 overall #28 of 49 LAMBRETTAs #60 of 412 scooter bikes

88.1%

first-time pass rate

8.3%

failed outright

7,227

median miles at test

520

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2017

The 125 SPECIAL's first-time pass rate has risen 12.6 points since 2006, 80.6% to 93.2%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the 125 SPECIAL's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 73.4%

A low-mileage 125 SPECIAL passes first time 90.1% of the time; by 30k that's 82.9%.

First-time pass rate by odometer reading at test, 10,000-mile bands for this model. Mileage is the strongest reliability signal. See the full curve.

What fails on a 125 SPECIAL

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	34	30.1	0.8×
brakes	32	28.3	0.7×
steering and suspension	24	21.2	1.0×
tyres and wheels	10	8.8	0.9×
fuel and exhaust	7	6.2	1.3×
structure and attachments	2	1.8	0.6×
lamps and reflectors	1	0.9	0.1×
suspension	1	0.9	0.3×
body and structure	1	0.9	0.4×
driving controls	1	0.9	0.8×

Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects. "vs all bikes" is how often this model's tests record a defect in the group, as a multiple of the all-bike rate.

How rivals compare

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the 125 SPECIAL beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (PIAGGIO VESPA, HONDA PCX 125, HONDA Vision 110).

PIAGGIO VESPA 80.7% pass · 287k tests HONDA PCX 125 81.1% pass · 88.6k tests HONDA Vision 110 78.2% pass · 50.6k tests YAMAHA NMAX 125 82.2% pass · 33.8k tests

Rivals share this bike's type and sit within ±30% of its engine capacity, ≥ 5,000 tests. Card colour = better/worse first-time pass rate than the 125 SPECIAL.

Pass rate by registration year

how each model-year cohort fares · registration year from first use date

Best year to buy used: 1965 (92.9% pass). Weakest: 1968 (84.1%).

First-time pass rate by the year each bike was first registered (cohorts with ≥ 50 tests). Older cohorts are survivors: the worst examples have already left the road, which tends to lift the earliest years.

LAMBRETTA 125 SPECIAL FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the LAMBRETTA 125 SPECIAL reliable?

The LAMBRETTA 125 SPECIAL is more reliable than average for its class: 88.1% of its 520 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 73.4%. That ranks it #1575 of 5426 models.

What does a 125 SPECIAL fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 30% of all defects recorded against failed 125 SPECIAL tests.

What is the best year of 125 SPECIAL to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1965-registered examples do best (92.9%) and 1968 worst (84.1%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a 125 SPECIAL last?

The median 125 SPECIAL shows 7,227 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 82.9% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.