Lexmoto ZSB 125 Efi SK 125-8 E4 vs Piaggio Vespa

The Piaggio Vespa passes its MOT first time more often than the Lexmoto ZSB 125 Efi SK 125-8 E4: 80.7% vs 60.5%, a 20.2-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Lexmoto ZSB 125 Efi SK 125-8 E4	Piaggio Vespa
First-time pass rate	60.5%	80.7%
Outright fail rate	25.9%	12.2%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-16.8 pts	+5.9 pts
Engine size	124cc	124cc
Rank among all models	#5195 of 5428	#3439 of 5428
Median miles at test	3,790	10,023
MOT tests analysed	866	287,482
Most common failure	lamps and reflectors	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 ZSB 125 Efi SK 125-8 E4	Piaggio Vespa
Lights & signalling	16.1%	6.4%
Brakes	11.1%	3.5%
Steering & suspension	9.0%	3.2%
Structure & body	9.6%	1.4%
Tyres & wheels	4.0%	3.8%
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	Lexmoto ZSB 125 Efi SK 125-8 E4	Piaggio Vespa
2022	55.8%	86.6%
2023	60.3%	86.5%
2024	56.4%	87.2%
2025	66.4%	87.4%

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 ZSB 125 Efi SK 125-8 E4	Piaggio Vespa
0k-10k miles	60.5%	85.0%
10k-20k miles	57.9%	77.0%

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

Lexmoto ZSB 125 Efi SK 125-8 E4 vs Piaggio Vespa FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Lexmoto ZSB 125 Efi SK 125-8 E4 or the Piaggio Vespa?

The Piaggio Vespa passes its MOT first time more often than the Lexmoto ZSB 125 Efi SK 125-8 E4: 80.7% vs 60.5%, a 20.2-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Piaggio Vespa still comes out ahead: -16.8 points vs comparable bikes for the Lexmoto ZSB 125 Efi SK 125-8 E4, +5.9 for the Piaggio Vespa. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Lexmoto ZSB 125 Efi SK 125-8 E4 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 16.1% of Lexmoto ZSB 125 Efi SK 125-8 E4 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (11.1%).

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%).

LEXMOTO ZSB 125 EFi SK 125-8 E4 60.5% pass · 866 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.