LAMBRETTA LI125 SPECIAL

125cc Petrol Class 1

#988 of 5426 overall #12 of 49 LAMBRETTAs #36 of 412 scooter bikes

89.9%

first-time pass rate

5.2%

failed outright

1,391

median miles at test

813

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2007–2018

The LI125 SPECIAL's first-time pass rate has risen 15.0 points since 2007, 74.4% to 89.4%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the LI125 SPECIAL's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 73.4%

A low-mileage LI125 SPECIAL passes first time 89.7% of the time; by 30k that's 90.5%.

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 LI125 SPECIAL

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	31	35.6	0.6×
brakes	30	34.5	0.6×
steering and suspension	11	12.6	0.5×
tyres and wheels	7	8	0.2×
fuel and exhaust	3	3.4	0.3×
wheels	1	1.1	2.1×
audible warning (Horn)	1	1.1	0.7×
driving controls	1	1.1	0.5×
lamps and reflectors	1	1.1	0.1×
Items Not Tested	1	1.1	1.3×

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 LI125 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 LI125 SPECIAL.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1967 (92.4% pass). Weakest: 1968 (79.5%).

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 LI125 SPECIAL FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the LAMBRETTA LI125 SPECIAL reliable?

The LAMBRETTA LI125 SPECIAL is more reliable than average for its class: 89.9% of its 813 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 73.4%. That ranks it #988 of 5426 models.

What does a LI125 SPECIAL fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 36% of all defects recorded against failed LI125 SPECIAL tests.

What is the best year of LI125 SPECIAL to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1967-registered examples do best (92.4%) and 1968 worst (79.5%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a LI125 SPECIAL last?

The median LI125 SPECIAL shows 1,391 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 90.5% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.