SYM Symply 2 125 vs Piaggio Vespa

The Piaggio Vespa passes its MOT first time more often than the SYM Symply 2 125: 80.7% vs 74.3%, a 6.4-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	SYM Symply 2 125	Piaggio Vespa
First-time pass rate	74.3%	80.7%
Outright fail rate	18.9%	12.2%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+4.0 pts	+5.9 pts
Engine size	124cc	124cc
Rank among all models	#4371 of 5428	#3439 of 5428
Median miles at test	14,049	10,023
MOT tests analysed	657	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	SYM Symply 2 125	Piaggio Vespa
Lights & signalling	7.3%	6.4%
Brakes	9.3%	3.5%
Tyres & wheels	6.2%	3.8%
Steering & suspension	4.6%	3.2%
Structure & body	1.7%	1.4%
Fuel & exhaust	1.7%	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	SYM Symply 2 125	Piaggio Vespa
2014	73.3%	76.6%
2015	76.9%	78.4%
2016	71.4%	79.2%
2017	79.6%	81.0%
2018	72.7%	81.5%
2019	78.0%	82.6%
2020	69.8%	85.6%
2021	69.8%	85.8%

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	SYM Symply 2 125	Piaggio Vespa
0k-10k miles	81.1%	85.0%
10k-20k miles	70.5%	77.0%
20k-30k miles	74.2%	75.3%
30k-40k miles	60.9%	75.4%

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

SYM Symply 2 125 vs Piaggio Vespa FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the SYM Symply 2 125 or the Piaggio Vespa?

The Piaggio Vespa passes its MOT first time more often than the SYM Symply 2 125: 80.7% vs 74.3%, a 6.4-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Piaggio Vespa still comes out ahead: +4.0 points vs comparable bikes for the SYM Symply 2 125, +5.9 for the Piaggio Vespa. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the SYM Symply 2 125 fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 9.3% of SYM Symply 2 125 MOT tests failed on it, then lights & signalling (7.3%).

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 SYM Symply 2 125 or the Piaggio Vespa?

At 30k-40k miles the Piaggio Vespa passes first time more often: 60.9% for the SYM Symply 2 125 vs 75.4% for the Piaggio Vespa.

SYM SYMPLY 2 125 74.3% pass · 657 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.