Piaggio Vespa

Motorcycle

Overall MOT pass rate

88.4%↑ +10.1% vs UK average

From 19,681 MOT tests. Above average for its class.

0.107 failures per 10,000 miles when adjusted for the 10,869-mile median distance driven.

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Common MOT failure categories

tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements1.6%

a headlamp missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led0.9%

a direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning0.5%

significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake0.5%

the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements0.4%

exhaust system leaking or insecure0.4%

Full breakdown

Pass rate by registration year

87.6%

87.2%

91.2%

92.3%

91.8%

93.7%

94%

93%

Newer Vespas fare better: 2021 models pass at 93% vs 84.3% for 2005.

What goes wrong?

The most common MOT failure reasons are tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, a headlamp missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led, a direction indicator lamp missing and inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning. The top issue, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, caused 318 failures in 2024. Checking tread depth (1.6mm legal minimum, 3mm recommended) before your test can save an unnecessary fail. You can check prices at Black Circles if you need replacements. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.

tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements	318
a headlamp missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led	183
a direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning	108
significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake	90
the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements	82
exhaust system leaking or insecure	74
stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning	70
a shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely	70
brake lining or pad worn below 1.0mm	68
a stop lamp(s) remains on when the brakes are released	64

How serious are these failures?

Not all MOT failures are equal. Only 20.6% of Vespa failures are serious (safety or roadside), below the 44.4% average. When this car fails its MOT, it's more likely to be lights, wipers, or emissions than something dangerous. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £58.

By registration year

Year	Pass rate	Tests	Avg miles	Top failures
2021	93%	157	4,543	reflector colour or position not in accordance with the requirements, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
2020	94%	1,079	4,450	tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, a shock absorber bush excessively worn
2019	93.7%	1,231	5,531	tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
2018	91.8%	1,554	6,483	tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, a shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely

19 earlier years

2017	92.3%	1,424	7,986	tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, a headlamp missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led
2016	91.2%	1,980	8,047	tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, a direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
2015	87.2%	1,707	9,935	tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, a stop lamp(s) does not illuminate by the operation of both brake controls or remains on when the brakes are released
2014	87.6%	1,704	10,885	tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, a headlamp missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led
2013	87.7%	1,487	11,721	a headlamp missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
2012	84.8%	903	11,940	a headlamp missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led, a direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
2011	89.4%	529	12,623	tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
2010	81.4%	510	14,321	tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, a headlamp missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led
2009	84.6%	482	15,925	tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
2008	81.7%	618	14,917	a headlamp missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
2007	84.3%	683	15,892	tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, a shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely
2006	84.8%	632	16,735	tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, a headlamp missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led
2005	84.3%	511	16,926	tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, a rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps
2004	87.1%	350	16,221	a headlamp missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led, exhaust system leaking or insecure
2003	88.2%	440	14,439	a direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
2002	84.5%	316	14,506	a direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
2001	83.4%	350	14,351	a headlamp missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led, a direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
2000	83.5%	261	14,540	a headlamp missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led, a stop lamp(s) remains on when the brakes are released
1999	87.3%	158	15,226	a stop lamp(s) remains on when the brakes are released, exhaust system leaking or insecure

Typical mileage

Half of all Vespas tested had between 4,890 and 16,423 miles on the clock. Relatively low mileage overall. Many are still fairly young.

4,890

16,423

median: 10,869 miles

At 10,869 median miles, the Vespa has 0.107 failures per 10,000 miles driven.

Other Piaggio models

Piaggio Zip	77%	2,074 tests
Piaggio Mp3	88.5%	2,045 tests
Piaggio Liberty 125	80.1%	1,952 tests
Piaggio Px 125 (Vespa)	88.3%	1,371 tests

Common questions

What is the Piaggio Vespa MOT pass rate?

The Piaggio Vespa has a 88.4% MOT pass rate based on 19,681 real MOT tests. This is above the national average.

What are common MOT failures on a Piaggio Vespa?

The most common MOT failure on the Piaggio Vespa is tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, which caused 318 failures. Other common issues include a headlamp missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led.

What is the typical mileage of a Piaggio Vespa at MOT?

The median mileage at MOT for a Piaggio Vespa is 10,869 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 4,890 and 16,423 miles.

MOT data from DVSA anonymised test results, 2024 test year. Fleet data from DfT vehicle licensing statistics. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0. MOT pass rates are statistical summaries of test outcomes, not assessments of individual vehicle safety or condition. Always inspect a vehicle and check its full MOT history before purchasing. See terms of use.