Lambretta 125 Special vs Piaggio Vespa

The Lambretta 125 Special passes its MOT first time more often than the Piaggio Vespa: 88.1% vs 80.7%, a 7.4-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025

Metric	Lambretta 125 Special	Piaggio Vespa
First-time pass rate	88.1%	80.7%
Outright fail rate	8.3%	12.2%
Engine size	125cc	124cc
Rank among all models	#1574 of 5428	#3439 of 5428
Median miles at test	7,227	10,023
MOT tests analysed	520	287,482
Most common failure	lighting and signalling	lighting and signalling

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.

What fails, side by side

share of each bike's MOT tests that failed on the component · lower is better

Component	Lambretta 125 Special	Piaggio Vespa
Lights & signalling	3.5%	6.4%
Brakes	3.1%	3.5%
Steering & suspension	3.1%	3.2%
Tyres & wheels	1.7%	3.8%
Fuel & exhaust	1.0%	1.3%
Structure & body	0.6%	1.4%

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

first-time MOT pass rate in each calendar year both bikes were tested

Test year	Lambretta 125 Special	Piaggio Vespa
2010	78.0%	77.5%
2011	86.1%	76.1%
2012	84.6%	76.2%
2013	94.9%	76.4%
2014	90.7%	76.6%
2015	92.0%	78.4%
2016	89.4%	79.2%
2017	93.2%	81.0%

Each year mixes bikes of different ages, so a fleet that is getting older tends to slip.

Pass rate by mileage

first-time MOT pass rate by miles on the clock at test

Mileage	Lambretta 125 Special	Piaggio Vespa
0k-10k miles	90.1%	85.0%
10k-20k miles	90.6%	77.0%
20k-30k miles	84.8%	75.3%
30k-40k miles	82.9%	75.4%

Bands with fewer than 30 tests for either bike are left out.

Lambretta 125 Special vs Piaggio Vespa FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Lambretta 125 Special or the Piaggio Vespa?

The Lambretta 125 Special passes its MOT first time more often than the Piaggio Vespa: 88.1% vs 80.7%, a 7.4-point lead. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Lambretta 125 Special fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 3.5% of Lambretta 125 Special MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (3.1%).

What does the Piaggio Vespa fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 6.4% of Piaggio Vespa MOT tests failed on it, then tyres & wheels (3.8%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Lambretta 125 Special or the Piaggio Vespa?

At 30k-40k miles the Lambretta 125 Special passes first time more often: 82.9% for the Lambretta 125 Special vs 75.4% for the Piaggio Vespa.

LAMBRETTA 125 SPECIAL 88.1% pass · 520 tests PIAGGIO VESPA 80.7% pass · 287k tests

See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.