Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
SYM VS 125 vs Piaggio Vespa
The Piaggio Vespa passes its MOT first time more often than the SYM VS 125: 80.7% vs 76.9%, a 3.8-point lead.
MOT reliability, side by side
| Metric | SYM VS 125 | Piaggio Vespa |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 76.9% | 80.7% |
| Outright fail rate | 16.0% | 12.2% |
| Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) | +6.4 pts | +5.9 pts |
| Engine size | 124cc | 124cc |
| Rank among all models | #4078 of 5428 | #3439 of 5428 |
| Median miles at test | 13,983 | 10,023 |
| MOT tests analysed | 1,228 | 287,482 |
| Most common failure | tyres and wheels | 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
| Component | SYM VS 125 | Piaggio Vespa |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres & wheels | 8.2% | 3.8% |
| Lights & signalling | 5.2% | 6.4% |
| Brakes | 5.5% | 3.5% |
| Steering & suspension | 2.5% | 3.2% |
| Fuel & exhaust | 1.8% | 1.3% |
| Structure & body | 1.0% | 1.4% |
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 | SYM VS 125 | Piaggio Vespa |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 73.6% | 76.6% |
| 2015 | 78.7% | 78.4% |
| 2016 | 75.9% | 79.2% |
| 2017 | 77.1% | 81.0% |
| 2018 | 75.4% | 81.5% |
| 2019 | 77.8% | 82.6% |
| 2020 | 85.7% | 85.6% |
| 2021 | 79.5% | 85.8% |
Each year mixes bikes of different ages, so a fleet that is getting older tends to slip.
Pass rate by mileage
| Mileage | SYM VS 125 | Piaggio Vespa |
|---|---|---|
| 0k-10k miles | 83.0% | 85.0% |
| 10k-20k miles | 74.6% | 77.0% |
| 20k-30k miles | 69.6% | 75.3% |
| 30k-40k miles | 77.6% | 75.4% |
| 40k-50k miles | 74.5% | 75.3% |
Bands with fewer than 30 tests for either bike are left out.
SYM VS 125 vs Piaggio Vespa FAQ
Which is more reliable, the SYM VS 125 or the Piaggio Vespa?
The Piaggio Vespa passes its MOT first time more often than the SYM VS 125: 80.7% vs 76.9%, a 3.8-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class the two are level (+6.4 vs +5.9 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 SYM VS 125 fail its MOT on most?
Tyres & wheels: 8.2% of SYM VS 125 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (5.5%).
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 VS 125 or the Piaggio Vespa?
They are level: at 40k-50k miles the SYM VS 125 passes 74.5% first time and the Piaggio Vespa 75.3%.
See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.