BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
Model report · 2005–2025
80.3%
first-time pass rate
12.0%
failed outright
12,599
median miles at test
468
MOT tests, 2005–2025
+3.6pp
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.

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2012

The P150X's first-time pass rate has fallen 4.2 points since 2006, 84.8% to 80.6%.

72%80%87%2006: 84.8% pass (33 tests)2008: 74.2% pass (31 tests)2012: 80.6% pass (31 tests)20062012

Pass rate by mileage

how the P150X's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 73.4%

A low-mileage P150X passes first time 78.7% of the time; by 40k that's 72.2%.

70%78%86%0k: 78.7% pass (183 tests)10k: 83.9% pass (124 tests)20k: 81.4% pass (70 tests)40k: 72.2% pass (36 tests)0k20k40k

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 P150X

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded
Component group Share of defects Defects % of defects
lighting and signalling
51 39.8
brakes
18 14.1
steering and suspension
15 11.7
lamps and reflectors
13 10.2
tyres and wheels
12 9.4
Items Not Tested
5 3.9
fuel and exhaust
4 3.1
structure and attachments
4 3.1
driving controls
3 2.3
reg plates and vin
3 2.3

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 P150X beats 1 of its 4 closest rivals (PIAGGIO VESPA, HONDA PCX 125, HONDA Vision 110).

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 P150X.

Compare with any bike

rival not listed above? pick any model to see it head-to-head with the P150X

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1983 (88.9% pass). Weakest: 2002 (76.2%).

74%83%91%1980: 78.6% pass (98 tests)1983: 88.9% pass (72 tests)2002: 76.2% pass (130 tests)198019832002

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.

Embed this bike

Free to embed on your site, blog or forum — a live Vespa (douglas) P150X reliability card that stays up to date and links back here. More on the free API page.