VESPA (DOUGLAS) T5

123cc Petrol Class 1

#3334 of 5426 overall #18 of 30 VESPA (DOUGLAS)s #172 of 412 scooter bikes

81.2%

first-time pass rate

10.5%

failed outright

16,043

median miles at test

2,973

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2025

The T5's first-time pass rate has risen 17.0 points since 2006, 77.0% to 94.0%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the T5's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 73.4%

A low-mileage T5 passes first time 83.0% of the time; by 50k that's 70.0%.

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 T5

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	255	37.4	1.3×
steering and suspension	132	19.4	1.0×
brakes	102	15	0.6×
lamps and reflectors	68	10	0.7×
tyres and wheels	53	7.8	0.8×
fuel and exhaust	18	2.6	0.6×
reg plates and vin	18	2.6	0.9×
steering	13	1.9	1.0×
suspension	12	1.8	0.4×
body and structure	10	1.5	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

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the T5 beats 3 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 T5.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1988 (86.0% pass). Weakest: 1992 (74.0%).

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) T5 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the VESPA (DOUGLAS) T5 reliable?

The VESPA (DOUGLAS) T5 is more reliable than average for its class: 81.2% of its 2,973 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 73.4%. That ranks it #3334 of 5426 models.

What does a T5 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 37% of all defects recorded against failed T5 tests.

What is the best year of T5 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1988-registered examples do best (86.0%) and 1992 worst (74.0%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a T5 last?

The median T5 shows 16,043 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 70.0% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.