BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ Piaggio Vespa LX 50/vs Peugeot Vivacity
Head-to-head · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

Piaggio Vespa LX 50 vs Peugeot Vivacity

The Piaggio Vespa LX 50 passes its MOT first time more often than the Peugeot Vivacity: 81.1% vs 70.4%, a 10.7-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
Metric Piaggio Vespa LX 50 Peugeot Vivacity
First-time pass rate 81.1% 70.4%
Outright fail rate 11.9% 21.7%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) +8.9 pts -0.9 pts
Engine size 49cc 49cc
Rank among all models #3358 of 5428 #4699 of 5428
Median miles at test 9,495 11,162
MOT tests analysed 5,885 29,731
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 Piaggio Vespa LX 50 Peugeot Vivacity
Lights & signalling 5.7% 11.5%
Steering & suspension 3.0% 10.5%
Brakes 4.1% 8.6%
Tyres & wheels 2.8% 4.4%
Structure & body 2.0% 1.6%
Fuel & exhaust 1.6% 1.9%

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 Piaggio Vespa LX 50 Peugeot Vivacity
2018 77.8% 74.1%
2019 80.3% 72.0%
2020 81.2% 71.5%
2021 82.1% 73.6%
2022 83.6% 71.4%
2023 83.8% 72.7%
2024 81.8% 74.7%
2025 85.1% 73.2%

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 Piaggio Vespa LX 50 Peugeot Vivacity
0k-10k miles 83.8% 76.6%
10k-20k miles 77.2% 67.9%
20k-30k miles 79.7% 60.8%
30k-40k miles 82.3% 60.0%
40k-50k miles 80.0% 59.1%

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

Piaggio Vespa LX 50 vs Peugeot Vivacity FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Piaggio Vespa LX 50 or the Peugeot Vivacity?

The Piaggio Vespa LX 50 passes its MOT first time more often than the Peugeot Vivacity: 81.1% vs 70.4%, a 10.7-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Piaggio Vespa LX 50 still comes out ahead: +8.9 points vs comparable bikes for the Piaggio Vespa LX 50, -0.9 for the Peugeot Vivacity. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Piaggio Vespa LX 50 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 5.7% of Piaggio Vespa LX 50 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (4.1%).

What does the Peugeot Vivacity fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 11.5% of Peugeot Vivacity MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (10.5%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Piaggio Vespa LX 50 or the Peugeot Vivacity?

At 40k-50k miles the Piaggio Vespa LX 50 passes first time more often: 80.0% for the Piaggio Vespa LX 50 vs 59.1% for the Peugeot Vivacity.

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