Piaggio Vespa
92.6%MOT pass rate
From 19,681 tests in 2024 — above average for its class. Typical mileage at test: 10,869 miles.
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.
| 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 |
By registration year
Newer Vespas fare better — a 1999 model passes at 90.5% compared to 98.1% for a 2021.
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 90.5% | a stop lamp(s) remains on when the brakes are released, exhaust system leaking or insecure |
| 2000 | 88.9% | 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 |
| 2001 | 89.1% | 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 |
| 2002 | 88.3% | 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 |
19 older years
| 2003 | 92.7% | 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 |
| 2004 | 92.9% | a headlamp missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led, exhaust system leaking or insecure |
| 2005 | 92.4% | 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 |
| 2006 | 89.1% | tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, a headlamp missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led |
| 2007 | 88.6% | tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, a shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely |
| 2008 | 88.7% | a headlamp missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
| 2009 | 89.8% | tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements |
| 2010 | 86.7% | tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, a headlamp missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led |
| 2011 | 93% | tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake |
| 2012 | 90.4% | 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 |
| 2013 | 92.2% | a headlamp missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
| 2014 | 92.2% | tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, a headlamp missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led |
| 2015 | 91.6% | 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 |
| 2016 | 94.2% | 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 |
| 2017 | 95.5% | tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, a headlamp missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led |
| 2018 | 94.7% | tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, a shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely |
| 2019 | 96.3% | tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake |
| 2020 | 96.6% | tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, a shock absorber bush excessively worn |
| 2021 | 98.1% | reflector colour or position not in accordance with the requirements, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
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
Looking at a specific Vespa? Check its full MOT history — including advisories, mileage, and previous test results.
Check MOT history on GOV.UKMOT data from DVSA anonymised test results 2024. Fleet data from DfT vehicle licensing statistics. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0.