Head-to-head · 2005–2025
Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
Lambretta LI125 Series 3 vs Piaggio Vespa
The Lambretta LI125 Series 3 passes its MOT first time more often than the Piaggio Vespa: 88.6% vs 80.7%, a 7.9-point lead.
MOT reliability, side by side
first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
| Metric | Lambretta LI125 Series 3 | Piaggio Vespa |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 88.6% | 80.7% |
| Outright fail rate | 6.6% | 12.2% |
| Engine size | 125cc | 124cc |
| Rank among all models | #1402 of 5428 | #3439 of 5428 |
| Median miles at test | 1,240 | 10,023 |
| MOT tests analysed | 317 | 287,482 |
| Most common failure | brakes | 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.
Pass rate by test year
first-time MOT pass rate in each calendar year both bikes were tested
| Test year | Lambretta LI125 Series 3 | Piaggio Vespa |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 87.2% | 78.4% |
| 2016 | 84.6% | 79.2% |
| 2017 | 93.7% | 81.0% |
| 2018 | 90.3% | 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 LI125 Series 3 | Piaggio Vespa |
|---|---|---|
| 0k-10k miles | 87.7% | 85.0% |
| 10k-20k miles | 93.0% | 77.0% |
| 20k-30k miles | 84.8% | 75.3% |
Bands with fewer than 30 tests for either bike are left out.
See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.