LAMBRETTA SX
The pass rate is the MOT first-time pass: a roadworthiness check of the items an MOT covers (brakes, lights, tyres, steering, structure, emissions), not a full mechanical inspection of engine or gearbox internals. It is a reliability signal, not a complete measure of mechanical reliability. What this measures.
“vs expected” adjusts for age, mileage and test class, so a cherished classic and a hard-used commuter are compared fairly. How this works.
Pass rate over time
The SX's first-time pass rate has risen 2.8 points since 2006, 90.7% to 93.5%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage SX passes first time 89.0% of the time; by 30k that's 89.4%.
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 SX
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lighting and signalling |
|
56 | 35.9 | 0.6× |
| brakes |
|
37 | 23.7 | 0.4× |
| steering and suspension |
|
24 | 15.4 | 0.5× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
20 | 12.8 | 0.5× |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
7 | 4.5 | 0.6× |
| reg plates and vin |
|
4 | 2.6 | 0.4× |
| body and structure |
|
3 | 1.9 | 0.3× |
| steering |
|
2 | 1.3 | 0.3× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
2 | 1.3 | — |
| Items Not Tested |
|
1 | 0.6 | 0.7× |
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
On first-time pass rate the SX beats 3 of its 4 closest rivals (PIAGGIO PX 200 E, PIAGGIO X9, LAMBRETTA GP200).
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 SX.
Compare with any bike
More LAMBRETTA models
Pass rate by registration year
Best year to buy used: 1980 (91.3% pass). Weakest: 1966 (86.3%).
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 SX FAQ
Is the LAMBRETTA SX reliable?
The LAMBRETTA SX is more reliable than average for its class: 88.7% of its 1,580 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 73.4%. That ranks it #1370 of 5428 models.
What does a SX fail its MOT on most?
lighting and signalling — 36% of all defects recorded against failed SX tests.
What is the best year of SX to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 1980-registered examples do best (91.3%) and 1966 worst (86.3%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a SX last?
The median SX shows 2,919 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 89.4% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.
Embed this bike
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