VESPA (DOUGLAS) 125

123cc Petrol Class 1

#4108 of 5426 overall #28 of 30 VESPA (DOUGLAS)s #250 of 412 scooter bikes

76.6%

first-time pass rate

14.4%

failed outright

12,308

median miles at test

1,008

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2019

The 125's first-time pass rate has held steady since 2006 (72.7% → 73.3%).

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage 125 passes first time 76.2% of the time; by 40k that's 85.7%.

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

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	148	39.8	1.8×
brakes	68	18.3	1.1×
steering and suspension	59	15.9	1.6×
lamps and reflectors	32	8.6	0.9×
tyres and wheels	28	7.5	1.3×
reg plates and vin	12	3.2	1.6×
fuel and exhaust	9	2.4	1.2×
body and structure	6	1.6	1.0×
driving controls	5	1.3	2.1×
tyres	5	1.3	0.4×

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 beats 0 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.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1984 (81.7% pass). Weakest: 1980 (71.7%).

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.

VESPA (DOUGLAS) 125 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the VESPA (DOUGLAS) 125 reliable?

The VESPA (DOUGLAS) 125 is more reliable than average for its class: 76.6% of its 1,008 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 73.4%. That ranks it #4108 of 5426 models.

What does a 125 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 40% of all defects recorded against failed 125 tests.

What is the best year of 125 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1984-registered examples do best (81.7%) and 1980 worst (71.7%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a 125 last?

The median 125 shows 12,308 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 85.7% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.