Vespa (douglas) 150 Super vs Piaggio Vespa

The Vespa (douglas) 150 Super passes its MOT first time more often than the Piaggio Vespa: 83.4% vs 80.7%, a 2.7-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Vespa (douglas) 150 Super	Piaggio Vespa
First-time pass rate	83.4%	80.7%
Outright fail rate	10.9%	12.2%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	0.0 pts	+5.9 pts
Engine size	150cc	124cc
Rank among all models	#2868 of 5428	#3439 of 5428
Median miles at test	3,162	10,023
MOT tests analysed	579	287,482
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	Vespa (douglas) 150 Super	Piaggio Vespa
Lights & signalling	6.9%	6.4%
Brakes	3.1%	3.5%
Steering & suspension	3.1%	3.2%
Tyres & wheels	1.0%	3.8%
Fuel & exhaust	1.0%	1.3%
Structure & body	0.3%	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

first-time MOT pass rate in each calendar year both bikes were tested

Test year	Vespa (douglas) 150 Super	Piaggio Vespa
2010	89.5%	77.5%
2011	80.0%	76.1%
2012	82.0%	76.2%
2013	86.3%	76.4%
2014	81.8%	76.6%
2015	89.1%	78.4%
2016	82.5%	79.2%
2017	87.5%	81.0%

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	Vespa (douglas) 150 Super	Piaggio Vespa
0k-10k miles	82.2%	85.0%
10k-20k miles	83.8%	77.0%
20k-30k miles	88.9%	75.3%

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

Vespa (douglas) 150 Super vs Piaggio Vespa FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Vespa (douglas) 150 Super or the Piaggio Vespa?

The Vespa (douglas) 150 Super passes its MOT first time more often than the Piaggio Vespa: 83.4% vs 80.7%, a 2.7-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Piaggio Vespa still comes out ahead: 0.0 points vs comparable bikes for the Vespa (douglas) 150 Super, +5.9 for the Piaggio Vespa. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Vespa (douglas) 150 Super fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 6.9% of Vespa (douglas) 150 Super MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (3.1%).

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 Vespa (douglas) 150 Super or the Piaggio Vespa?

At 20k-30k miles the Vespa (douglas) 150 Super passes first time more often: 88.9% for the Vespa (douglas) 150 Super vs 75.3% for the Piaggio Vespa.

VESPA (DOUGLAS) 150 SUPER 83.4% pass · 579 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.