Head-to-head · 2005–2025
Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
Vespa (douglas) GS160 vs Piaggio Vespa
The Vespa (douglas) GS160 passes its MOT first time more often than the Piaggio Vespa: 90.3% vs 80.7%, a 9.6-point lead.
MOT reliability, side by side
first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
| Metric | Vespa (douglas) GS160 | Piaggio Vespa |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 90.3% | 80.7% |
| Outright fail rate | 4.0% | 12.2% |
| Engine size | 160cc | 124cc |
| Rank among all models | #854 of 5428 | #3439 of 5428 |
| Median miles at test | 9,465 | 10,023 |
| MOT tests analysed | 372 | 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.
Pass rate by test year
first-time MOT pass rate in each calendar year both bikes were tested
| Test year | Vespa (douglas) GS160 | Piaggio Vespa |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 87.1% | 76.1% |
| 2012 | 84.4% | 76.2% |
| 2013 | 89.2% | 76.4% |
| 2014 | 85.3% | 76.6% |
| 2015 | 90.3% | 78.4% |
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) GS160 | Piaggio Vespa |
|---|---|---|
| 0k-10k miles | 90.9% | 85.0% |
| 10k-20k miles | 94.4% | 77.0% |
| 20k-30k miles | 91.7% | 75.3% |
| 30k-40k miles | 83.9% | 75.4% |
| 40k-50k miles | 93.5% | 75.3% |
Bands with fewer than 30 tests for either bike are left out.
See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.