Lambretta LI150S vs Piaggio Vespa

The Lambretta LI150S passes its MOT first time more often than the Piaggio Vespa: 88.7% vs 80.7%, a 8.0-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Lambretta LI150S	Piaggio Vespa
First-time pass rate	88.7%	80.7%
Outright fail rate	3.7%	12.2%
Engine size	150cc	124cc
Rank among all models	#1370 of 5428	#3439 of 5428
Median miles at test	3,053	10,023
MOT tests analysed	520	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.

What fails, side by side

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

Component	Lambretta LI150S	Piaggio Vespa
Lights & signalling	1.5%	6.4%
Brakes	1.7%	3.5%
Tyres & wheels	1.0%	3.8%
Steering & suspension	0.6%	3.2%
Structure & body	0.2%	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 LI150S	Piaggio Vespa
2010	96.9%	77.5%
2011	87.5%	76.1%
2012	85.3%	76.2%
2013	91.9%	76.4%
2014	83.7%	76.6%
2015	85.4%	78.4%
2016	86.4%	79.2%
2017	94.8%	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 LI150S	Piaggio Vespa
0k-10k miles	89.0%	85.0%
10k-20k miles	82.1%	77.0%
20k-30k miles	96.0%	75.3%
30k-40k miles	83.1%	75.4%

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

Lambretta LI150S vs Piaggio Vespa FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Lambretta LI150S or the Piaggio Vespa?

The Lambretta LI150S passes its MOT first time more often than the Piaggio Vespa: 88.7% vs 80.7%, a 8.0-point lead. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Lambretta LI150S fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 1.7% of Lambretta LI150S MOT tests failed on it, then lights & signalling (1.5%).

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 LI150S or the Piaggio Vespa?

At 30k-40k miles the Lambretta LI150S passes first time more often: 83.1% for the Lambretta LI150S vs 75.4% for the Piaggio Vespa.

LAMBRETTA LI150S 88.7% 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.