BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ Lambretta SX/vs Piaggio X9
Head-to-head · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

Lambretta SX vs Piaggio X9

The Lambretta SX passes its MOT first time more often than the Piaggio X9: 88.7% vs 77.0%, a 11.7-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
Metric Lambretta SX Piaggio X9
First-time pass rate 88.7% 77.0%
Outright fail rate 5.5% 17.5%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) +7.0 pts -4.4 pts
Engine size 198cc 244cc
Rank among all models #1370 of 5428 #4065 of 5428
Median miles at test 2,919 12,186
MOT tests analysed 1,580 21,703
Most common failure lighting and signalling steering and suspension

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

share of each bike's MOT tests that failed on the component · lower is better
Component Lambretta SX Piaggio X9
Lights & signalling 2.4% 7.3%
Steering & suspension 1.5% 7.5%
Brakes 1.6% 6.5%
Tyres & wheels 1.1% 4.2%
Fuel & exhaust 0.4% 1.8%
Structure & body 0.1% 0.8%

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 SX Piaggio X9
2011 86.8% 75.7%
2012 82.3% 74.8%
2013 90.3% 74.1%
2014 88.2% 75.5%
2015 87.9% 76.1%
2016 95.4% 76.3%
2017 92.1% 76.3%
2018 93.5% 78.1%

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 SX Piaggio X9
0k-10k miles 89.0% 81.4%
10k-20k miles 87.4% 75.8%
20k-30k miles 88.2% 72.4%
30k-40k miles 89.4% 70.1%

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

Lambretta SX vs Piaggio X9 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Lambretta SX or the Piaggio X9?

The Lambretta SX passes its MOT first time more often than the Piaggio X9: 88.7% vs 77.0%, a 11.7-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Lambretta SX still comes out ahead: +7.0 points vs comparable bikes for the Lambretta SX, -4.4 for the Piaggio X9. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Lambretta SX fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 2.4% of Lambretta SX MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (1.6%).

What does the Piaggio X9 fail its MOT on most?

Steering & suspension: 7.5% of Piaggio X9 MOT tests failed on it, then lights & signalling (7.3%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Lambretta SX or the Piaggio X9?

At 30k-40k miles the Lambretta SX passes first time more often: 89.4% for the Lambretta SX vs 70.1% for the Piaggio X9.

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