Vespa (douglas) P200E vs Lambretta GP200

The Lambretta GP200 passes its MOT first time more often than the Vespa (douglas) P200E: 87.8% vs 85.0%, a 2.8-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Vespa (douglas) P200E	Lambretta GP200
First-time pass rate	85.0%	87.8%
Outright fail rate	9.0%	6.5%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+8.4 pts	+3.8 pts
Engine size	198cc	198cc
Rank among all models	#2491 of 5428	#1669 of 5428
Median miles at test	14,956	2,296
MOT tests analysed	3,111	19,922
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) P200E	Lambretta GP200
Lights & signalling	5.6%	3.5%
Brakes	2.0%	2.5%
Steering & suspension	2.4%	1.6%
Tyres & wheels	1.9%	0.9%
Fuel & exhaust	0.6%	0.4%
Structure & body	0.6%	0.2%

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) P200E	Lambretta GP200
2018	84.1%	91.7%
2019	91.9%	90.2%
2020	91.6%	90.9%
2021	88.2%	93.2%
2022	89.6%	90.5%
2023	87.8%	91.9%
2024	91.0%	91.9%
2025	92.6%	92.9%

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) P200E	Lambretta GP200
0k-10k miles	87.0%	87.6%
10k-20k miles	85.6%	87.9%
20k-30k miles	81.5%	90.8%
30k-40k miles	84.5%	90.3%
40k-50k miles	81.4%	96.3%
50k-60k miles	86.8%	90.5%

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

Vespa (douglas) P200E vs Lambretta GP200 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Vespa (douglas) P200E or the Lambretta GP200?

The Lambretta GP200 passes its MOT first time more often than the Vespa (douglas) P200E: 87.8% vs 85.0%, a 2.8-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Vespa (douglas) P200E still comes out ahead: +8.4 points vs comparable bikes for the Vespa (douglas) P200E, +3.8 for the Lambretta GP200. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Vespa (douglas) P200E fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 5.6% of Vespa (douglas) P200E MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (2.4%).

What does the Lambretta GP200 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 3.5% of Lambretta GP200 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (2.5%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Vespa (douglas) P200E or the Lambretta GP200?

At 50k-60k miles the Lambretta GP200 passes first time more often: 86.8% for the Vespa (douglas) P200E vs 90.5% for the Lambretta GP200.

VESPA (DOUGLAS) P200E 85.0% pass · 3,111 tests LAMBRETTA GP200 87.8% pass · 19.9k tests

See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.