Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
Piaggio Vespa S 125 vs Honda PCX 125
The Honda PCX 125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Piaggio Vespa S 125: 81.1% vs 80.0%, a 1.1-point lead.
MOT reliability, side by side
| Metric | Piaggio Vespa S 125 | Honda PCX 125 |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 80.0% | 81.1% |
| Outright fail rate | 13.0% | 12.9% |
| Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) | +7.4 pts | +8.2 pts |
| Engine size | 124cc | 125cc |
| Rank among all models | #3578 of 5428 | #3358 of 5428 |
| Median miles at test | 9,504 | 16,405 |
| MOT tests analysed | 2,040 | 88,608 |
| Most common failure | brakes | brakes |
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
| Component | Piaggio Vespa S 125 | Honda PCX 125 |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 4.6% | 6.7% |
| Tyres & wheels | 5.8% | 5.3% |
| Lights & signalling | 6.3% | 3.9% |
| Steering & suspension | 3.0% | 4.4% |
| Structure & body | 1.5% | 0.7% |
| Fuel & exhaust | 0.5% | 0.0% |
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
| Test year | Piaggio Vespa S 125 | Honda PCX 125 |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 79.8% | 81.2% |
| 2019 | 77.6% | 79.9% |
| 2020 | 83.0% | 82.3% |
| 2021 | 86.7% | 80.3% |
| 2022 | 81.6% | 80.3% |
| 2023 | 72.1% | 80.2% |
| 2024 | 83.8% | 80.9% |
| 2025 | 80.6% | 81.6% |
Each year mixes bikes of different ages, so a fleet that is getting older tends to slip.
Pass rate by mileage
| Mileage | Piaggio Vespa S 125 | Honda PCX 125 |
|---|---|---|
| 0k-10k miles | 82.7% | 88.4% |
| 10k-20k miles | 76.1% | 79.3% |
| 20k-30k miles | 77.8% | 78.0% |
| 30k-40k miles | 79.5% | 77.0% |
Bands with fewer than 30 tests for either bike are left out.
Piaggio Vespa S 125 vs Honda PCX 125 FAQ
Which is more reliable, the Piaggio Vespa S 125 or the Honda PCX 125?
The Honda PCX 125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Piaggio Vespa S 125: 81.1% vs 80.0%, a 1.1-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class the two are level (+7.4 vs +8.2 points against comparable bikes), so the raw gap is mostly down to how old and how used each fleet is. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.
What does the Piaggio Vespa S 125 fail its MOT on most?
Lights & signalling: 6.3% of Piaggio Vespa S 125 MOT tests failed on it, then tyres & wheels (5.8%).
What does the Honda PCX 125 fail its MOT on most?
Brakes: 6.7% of Honda PCX 125 MOT tests failed on it, then tyres & wheels (5.3%).
Which holds up better at high mileage, the Piaggio Vespa S 125 or the Honda PCX 125?
At 30k-40k miles the Piaggio Vespa S 125 passes first time more often: 79.5% for the Piaggio Vespa S 125 vs 77.0% for the Honda PCX 125.
See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.