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League table/ VESPA (DOUGLAS)/COSA
Model report · 2005–2025

VESPA (DOUGLAS) COSA

198cc Petrol Class 1
80.0%
first-time pass rate
12.9%
failed outright
11,910
median miles at test
140
MOT tests, 2005–2025
+1.8pp
vs expected · age & mileage

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.

What fails on a COSA

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded
Component group Share of defects Defects % of defects
lighting and signalling
14 33.3
brakes
13 31
lamps and reflectors
8 19
tyres and wheels
3 7.1
steering and suspension
2 4.8
fuel and exhaust
1 2.4
suspension
1 2.4

Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects.

How rivals compare

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the COSA beats 1 of its 4 closest rivals (PIAGGIO PX 200 E, PIAGGIO X9, LAMBRETTA GP200).

PIAGGIO PX 200 E 86.5% pass · 28.4k tests Compare head-to-head →
PIAGGIO X9 77.0% pass · 21.7k tests Compare head-to-head →
LAMBRETTA GP200 87.8% pass · 19.9k tests Compare head-to-head →
LAMBRETTA LI150 88.8% pass · 19.3k tests Compare head-to-head →

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 COSA.

Compare with any bike

rival not listed above? pick any model to see it head-to-head with the Cosa

More VESPA (DOUGLAS) models

other VESPA (DOUGLAS) bikes ranked by MOT pass rate
VESPA (DOUGLAS) PX125 80.4% pass · 3,280 tests
VESPA (DOUGLAS) P200E 85.0% pass · 3,111 tests
VESPA (DOUGLAS) T5 81.3% pass · 2,964 tests
VESPA (DOUGLAS) PX125E 79.5% pass · 1,711 tests
VESPA (DOUGLAS) DOUGLAS 84.0% pass · 1,608 tests
VESPA (DOUGLAS) PX 82.5% pass · 1,533 tests

See all VESPA (DOUGLAS) models →

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1990 (72.9% pass). Weakest: 1990 (72.9%).

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.

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