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 PX200's first-time pass rate has risen 7.6 points since 2006, 85.7% to 93.3%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage PX200 passes first time 87.6% of the time; by 40k that's 83.3%.
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 PX200
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lighting and signalling |
|
50 | 37 | 1.1× |
| brakes |
|
27 | 20 | 0.7× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
13 | 9.6 | 0.9× |
| steering and suspension |
|
13 | 9.6 | 0.6× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
9 | 6.7 | 0.8× |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
6 | 4.4 | 1.3× |
| suspension |
|
5 | 3.7 | 0.9× |
| body and structure |
|
5 | 3.7 | 1.7× |
| Identification of the vehicle |
|
4 | 3 | 2.9× |
| structure and attachments |
|
3 | 2.2 | 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 PX200 beats 1 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 PX200.
Compare with any bike
More VESPA models
Pass rate by registration year
Best year to buy used: 2002 (84.6% pass). Weakest: 2001 (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 PX200 FAQ
Is the VESPA PX200 reliable?
The VESPA PX200 is more reliable than average for its class: 83.3% of its 598 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 73.4%. That ranks it #2895 of 5428 models.
What does a PX200 fail its MOT on most?
lighting and signalling — 37% of all defects recorded against failed PX200 tests.
What is the best year of PX200 to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 2002-registered examples do best (84.6%) and 2001 worst (74.0%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a PX200 last?
The median PX200 shows 15,462 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 83.3% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.
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