Lexmoto XTR 125-23 vs Piaggio Vespa

The Piaggio Vespa passes its MOT first time more often than the Lexmoto XTR 125-23: 80.7% vs 54.3%, a 26.4-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Lexmoto XTR 125-23	Piaggio Vespa
First-time pass rate	54.3%	80.7%
Outright fail rate	35.2%	12.2%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-17.8 pts	+5.9 pts
Engine size	124cc	124cc
Rank among all models	#5349 of 5428	#3439 of 5428
Median miles at test	8,970	10,023
MOT tests analysed	1,883	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.

"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	Lexmoto XTR 125-23	Piaggio Vespa
Lights & signalling	20.4%	6.4%
Brakes	19.0%	3.5%
Steering & suspension	17.0%	3.2%
Tyres & wheels	9.1%	3.8%
Structure & body	6.8%	1.4%
Drive system	7.8%	0.0%
Fuel & exhaust	1.9%	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	Lexmoto XTR 125-23	Piaggio Vespa
2016	55.3%	79.2%
2017	54.4%	81.0%
2018	48.9%	81.5%
2019	52.1%	82.6%
2020	59.5%	85.6%
2021	47.3%	85.8%
2022	60.0%	86.6%
2023	60.4%	86.5%

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	Lexmoto XTR 125-23	Piaggio Vespa
0k-10k miles	58.4%	85.0%
10k-20k miles	47.7%	77.0%
20k-30k miles	59.3%	75.3%

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

Lexmoto XTR 125-23 vs Piaggio Vespa FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Lexmoto XTR 125-23 or the Piaggio Vespa?

The Piaggio Vespa passes its MOT first time more often than the Lexmoto XTR 125-23: 80.7% vs 54.3%, a 26.4-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Piaggio Vespa still comes out ahead: -17.8 points vs comparable bikes for the Lexmoto XTR 125-23, +5.9 for the Piaggio Vespa. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Lexmoto XTR 125-23 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 20.4% of Lexmoto XTR 125-23 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (19.0%).

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 Lexmoto XTR 125-23 or the Piaggio Vespa?

At 20k-30k miles the Piaggio Vespa passes first time more often: 59.3% for the Lexmoto XTR 125-23 vs 75.3% for the Piaggio Vespa.

LEXMOTO XTR 125-23 54.3% pass · 1,883 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.