Lambretta 125LI vs Piaggio Vespa

The Lambretta 125LI passes its MOT first time more often than the Piaggio Vespa: 87.0% vs 80.7%, a 6.3-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Lambretta 125LI	Piaggio Vespa
First-time pass rate	87.0%	80.7%
Outright fail rate	6.4%	12.2%
Engine size	125cc	124cc
Rank among all models	#1910 of 5428	#3439 of 5428
Median miles at test	2,230	10,023
MOT tests analysed	609	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 125LI	Piaggio Vespa
Lights & signalling	3.6%	6.4%
Brakes	2.3%	3.5%
Tyres & wheels	1.0%	3.8%
Steering & suspension	1.1%	3.2%
Structure & body	0.7%	1.4%
Fuel & exhaust	0%	1.3%

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 125LI	Piaggio Vespa
2011	82.1%	76.1%
2012	91.2%	76.2%
2013	90.5%	76.4%
2014	84.6%	76.6%
2015	90.7%	78.4%
2016	93.8%	79.2%
2017	94.0%	81.0%
2018	84.8%	81.5%

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 125LI	Piaggio Vespa
0k-10k miles	87.3%	85.0%
10k-20k miles	94.0%	77.0%
20k-30k miles	81.8%	75.3%
30k-40k miles	87.5%	75.4%

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

Lambretta 125LI vs Piaggio Vespa FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

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

The Lambretta 125LI passes its MOT first time more often than the Piaggio Vespa: 87.0% vs 80.7%, a 6.3-point lead. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

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

Lights & signalling: 3.6% of Lambretta 125LI MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (2.3%).

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 125LI or the Piaggio Vespa?

At 30k-40k miles the Lambretta 125LI passes first time more often: 87.5% for the Lambretta 125LI vs 75.4% for the Piaggio Vespa.

LAMBRETTA 125LI 87.0% pass · 609 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.