Lambretta TV175 vs Piaggio PX 125 (vespa)

The Lambretta TV175 passes its MOT first time more often than the Piaggio PX 125 (vespa): 90.2% vs 81.0%, a 9.2-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Lambretta TV175	Piaggio PX 125 (vespa)
First-time pass rate	90.2%	81.0%
Outright fail rate	4.5%	11.3%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+13.4 pts	+8.1 pts
Engine size	175cc	124cc
Rank among all models	#884 of 5428	#3379 of 5428
Median miles at test	3,323	9,868
MOT tests analysed	5,657	33,171
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.

"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 TV175	Piaggio PX 125 (vespa)
Lights & signalling	2.2%	7.0%
Brakes	2.1%	2.7%
Steering & suspension	1.3%	2.5%
Tyres & wheels	0.4%	3.0%
Fuel & exhaust	0.2%	0.7%
Structure & body	0.1%	0.7%

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 TV175	Piaggio PX 125 (vespa)
2016	92.2%	81.2%
2017	93.7%	82.8%
2018	92.1%	82.5%
2019	91.9%	84.1%
2020	89.1%	84.8%
2021	97.6%	84.0%
2022	95.0%	84.2%
2023	100.0%	83.5%

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 TV175	Piaggio PX 125 (vespa)
0k-10k miles	90.2%	83.0%
10k-20k miles	89.5%	79.5%
20k-30k miles	91.3%	77.3%
30k-40k miles	88.7%	78.8%
40k-50k miles	89.8%	82.0%
50k-60k miles	93.2%	82.3%

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

Lambretta TV175 vs Piaggio PX 125 (vespa) FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Lambretta TV175 or the Piaggio PX 125 (vespa)?

The Lambretta TV175 passes its MOT first time more often than the Piaggio PX 125 (vespa): 90.2% vs 81.0%, a 9.2-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Lambretta TV175 still comes out ahead: +13.4 points vs comparable bikes for the Lambretta TV175, +8.1 for the Piaggio PX 125 (vespa). An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Lambretta TV175 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 2.2% of Lambretta TV175 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (2.1%).

What does the Piaggio PX 125 (vespa) fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 7.0% of Piaggio PX 125 (vespa) MOT tests failed on it, then tyres & wheels (3.0%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Lambretta TV175 or the Piaggio PX 125 (vespa)?

At 50k-60k miles the Lambretta TV175 passes first time more often: 93.2% for the Lambretta TV175 vs 82.3% for the Piaggio PX 125 (vespa).

LAMBRETTA TV175 90.2% pass · 5,657 tests PIAGGIO PX 125 (VESPA) 81.0% pass · 33.2k tests

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