Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
Kymco Downtown vs Piaggio Vespa GTS 300 Super
The Piaggio Vespa GTS 300 Super passes its MOT first time more often than the Kymco Downtown: 89.4% vs 81.4%, a 8.0-point lead.
MOT reliability, side by side
| Metric | Kymco Downtown | Piaggio Vespa GTS 300 Super |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 81.4% | 89.4% |
| Outright fail rate | 14.5% | 6.7% |
| Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) | -1.0 pts | +3.5 pts |
| Engine size | 299cc | 278cc |
| Rank among all models | #3291 of 5428 | #1147 of 5428 |
| Median miles at test | 11,018 | 13,477 |
| MOT tests analysed | 1,320 | 10,221 |
| Most common failure | brakes | tyres and wheels |
First-time outcomes on normal tests, 2005–2025. "Most common failure" is the component group with the most recorded defects on failed tests. Read pass rates against test counts: a smaller sample is noisier. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results.
"Vs comparable bikes" is the first-time pass rate minus the rate expected for each bike's own mix of age, mileage and test class, in percentage points: positive means better than comparable bikes. How this works.
What fails, side by side
| Component | Kymco Downtown | Piaggio Vespa GTS 300 Super |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 7.6% | 1.2% |
| Tyres & wheels | 4.7% | 2.6% |
| Steering & suspension | 4.4% | 1.3% |
| Lights & signalling | 2.9% | 2.2% |
| Structure & body | 0.4% | 0.5% |
| Fuel & exhaust | 0% | 0.7% |
A test that fails on two components counts once in each. Component links go to the bikes most likely to fail on it.
Pass rate by test year
| Test year | Kymco Downtown | Piaggio Vespa GTS 300 Super |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 75.0% | 89.4% |
| 2019 | 79.3% | 90.1% |
| 2020 | 83.5% | 90.0% |
| 2021 | 82.9% | 90.5% |
| 2022 | 76.6% | 90.1% |
| 2023 | 83.6% | 89.4% |
| 2024 | 84.2% | 90.8% |
| 2025 | 86.7% | 91.8% |
Each year mixes bikes of different ages, so a fleet that is getting older tends to slip.
Pass rate by mileage
| Mileage | Kymco Downtown | Piaggio Vespa GTS 300 Super |
|---|---|---|
| 0k-10k miles | 84.0% | 93.2% |
| 10k-20k miles | 80.6% | 88.7% |
| 20k-30k miles | 80.6% | 86.8% |
| 30k-40k miles | 74.6% | 84.5% |
| 40k-50k miles | 78.0% | 81.4% |
Bands with fewer than 30 tests for either bike are left out.
Kymco Downtown vs Piaggio Vespa GTS 300 Super FAQ
Which is more reliable, the Kymco Downtown or the Piaggio Vespa GTS 300 Super?
The Piaggio Vespa GTS 300 Super passes its MOT first time more often than the Kymco Downtown: 89.4% vs 81.4%, a 8.0-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Piaggio Vespa GTS 300 Super still comes out ahead: -1.0 points vs comparable bikes for the Kymco Downtown, +3.5 for the Piaggio Vespa GTS 300 Super. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.
What does the Kymco Downtown fail its MOT on most?
Brakes: 7.6% of Kymco Downtown MOT tests failed on it, then tyres & wheels (4.7%).
What does the Piaggio Vespa GTS 300 Super fail its MOT on most?
Tyres & wheels: 2.6% of Piaggio Vespa GTS 300 Super MOT tests failed on it, then lights & signalling (2.2%).
Which holds up better at high mileage, the Kymco Downtown or the Piaggio Vespa GTS 300 Super?
At 40k-50k miles the Piaggio Vespa GTS 300 Super passes first time more often: 78.0% for the Kymco Downtown vs 81.4% for the Piaggio Vespa GTS 300 Super.
See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.