VESPA T5

125cc Petrol Class 1

#3378 of 5426 overall #10 of 14 VESPAs #175 of 412 scooter bikes

81.0%

first-time pass rate

11.9%

failed outright

16,180

median miles at test

1,019

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 9.9 points since 2006, 75.0% to 84.9%.

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 84.1% of the time; by 40k 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	90	36.4	1.2×
steering and suspension	49	19.8	1.3×
lamps and reflectors	31	12.6	1.1×
brakes	31	12.6	0.5×
tyres and wheels	17	6.9	0.7×
tyres	6	2.4	0.9×
body and structure	6	2.4	0.8×
reg plates and vin	6	2.4	1.0×
steering	6	2.4	1.4×
suspension	5	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

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the T5 beats 2 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: 1998 (91.8% pass). Weakest: 1989 (78.0%).

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 T5 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the VESPA T5 reliable?

The VESPA T5 is more reliable than average for its class: 81.0% of its 1,019 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 73.4%. That ranks it #3378 of 5426 models.

What does a T5 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 36% of all defects recorded against failed T5 tests.

What is the best year of T5 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1998-registered examples do best (91.8%) and 1989 worst (78.0%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a T5 last?

The median T5 shows 16,180 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 70.0% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.