Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
Piaggio Vespa vs Yamaha Nmax 125
The Yamaha Nmax 125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Piaggio Vespa: 82.2% vs 80.7%, a 1.5-point lead.
MOT reliability, side by side
| Metric | Piaggio Vespa | Yamaha Nmax 125 |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 80.7% | 82.2% |
| Outright fail rate | 12.2% | 11.4% |
| Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) | +5.9 pts | +9.5 pts |
| Engine size | 124cc | 125cc |
| Rank among all models | #3439 of 5428 | #3145 of 5428 |
| Median miles at test | 10,023 | 30,236 |
| MOT tests analysed | 287,482 | 33,779 |
| Most common failure | lighting and signalling | 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 | Yamaha Nmax 125 |
|---|---|---|
| Lights & signalling | 6.4% | 4.2% |
| Brakes | 3.5% | 5.3% |
| Steering & suspension | 3.2% | 5.0% |
| Tyres & wheels | 3.8% | 3.7% |
| Structure & body | 1.4% | 0.6% |
| Fuel & exhaust | 1.3% | 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 | Yamaha Nmax 125 |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 81.5% | 86.3% |
| 2019 | 82.6% | 84.9% |
| 2020 | 85.6% | 88.4% |
| 2021 | 85.8% | 84.9% |
| 2022 | 86.6% | 83.5% |
| 2023 | 86.5% | 81.5% |
| 2024 | 87.2% | 79.8% |
| 2025 | 87.4% | 80.8% |
Each year mixes bikes of different ages, so a fleet that is getting older tends to slip.
Pass rate by mileage
| Mileage | Piaggio Vespa | Yamaha Nmax 125 |
|---|---|---|
| 0k-10k miles | 85.0% | 90.9% |
| 10k-20k miles | 77.0% | 84.2% |
| 20k-30k miles | 75.3% | 81.9% |
| 30k-40k miles | 75.4% | 79.2% |
| 40k-50k miles | 75.3% | 79.8% |
| 50k-60k miles | 78.7% | 79.1% |
Bands with fewer than 30 tests for either bike are left out.
Piaggio Vespa vs Yamaha Nmax 125 FAQ
Which is more reliable, the Piaggio Vespa or the Yamaha Nmax 125?
The Yamaha Nmax 125 passes its MOT first time more often than the Piaggio Vespa: 82.2% vs 80.7%, a 1.5-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Yamaha Nmax 125 still comes out ahead: +5.9 points vs comparable bikes for the Piaggio Vespa, +9.5 for the Yamaha Nmax 125. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.
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%).
What does the Yamaha Nmax 125 fail its MOT on most?
Brakes: 5.3% of Yamaha Nmax 125 MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (5.0%).
Which holds up better at high mileage, the Piaggio Vespa or the Yamaha Nmax 125?
They are level: at 50k-60k miles the Piaggio Vespa passes 78.7% first time and the Yamaha Nmax 125 79.1%.
See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.