Lambretta Li Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Lambretta Li car check
Is the Lambretta Li reliable? We analysed 9,743 real MOT tests across 1,384 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Lambretta Li? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Lambretta Li is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, roller brake test the less effective brake control does not achieve an efficiency of 25%. and steering headbearing has excessive free play. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Lambretta Li.
Lambretta Li Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Lambretta Li. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Lambretta Li MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Lambretta Li to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Lambretta Li Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Lambretta Li fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Lambretta Li Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Lambretta Li owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Lambretta Li MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Lambretta Li year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 81 | 84.0% | 9 | 202 | 1,678 |
| 2014 | 97 | 87.6% | 238 | 2,011 | 9,422 |
| 2013 | 122 | 86.1% | 311 | 1,588 | 10,510 |
| 2012 | 154 | 85.1% | 336 | 1,369 | 4,560 |
| 2011 | 202 | 90.6% | 169 | 626 | 1,920 |
| 2010 | 220 | 88.2% | 306 | 1,666 | 7,467 |
| 2009 | 252 | 89.7% | 394 | 1,528 | 5,609 |
| 2008 | 345 | 88.7% | 430 | 1,427 | 4,263 |
| 2007 | 430 | 89.1% | 199 | 1,047 | 2,662 |
| 2006 | 468 | 89.3% | 434 | 1,817 | 9,022 |
| 2005 | 459 | 89.3% | 824 | 3,572 | 19,829 |
| 2004 | 535 | 87.5% | 1,285 | 4,051 | 17,036 |
| 2003 | 548 | 90.9% | 643 | 2,448 | 17,458 |
| 2002 | 423 | 85.3% | 1,149 | 8,478 | 27,354 |
| 2001 | 416 | 88.5% | 1,267 | 4,316 | 23,714 |
| 2000 | 280 | 84.6% | 1,468 | 10,460 | 26,511 |
| 1999 | 213 | 88.7% | 623 | 1,516 | 19,383 |
| 1998 | 181 | 95.0% | 774 | 10,033 | 30,328 |
| 1997 | 226 | 89.8% | 888 | 4,342 | 19,604 |
| 1996 | 100 | 84.0% | 358 | 9,129 | 26,798 |
How Long Does a Lambretta Li Last?
Based on 1,384 Lambretta Li vehicles on UK roads.
Lambretta Li Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Lambretta Li MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Lambretta Li
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
95.0% MOT pass rate from 181 tests
76.6% MOT pass rate from 64 tests
The best year to buy a used Lambretta Li is 1998, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 95.0% across 181 tests. The 1981 model year has the lowest pass rate at 76.6% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Lambretta Li Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lambretta Li THIS CAR | 88.9% | 9,743 | 2,614 mi | 67 yrs |
| Lambretta GP200 | 89.3% | 20,062 | 2,269 mi | 59 yrs |
| Lambretta LI125 | 88.9% | 16,544 | 2,774 mi | 67 yrs |
| Lambretta LI150 | 90% | 14,980 | 3,032 mi | 68 yrs |
| Seat Ateca FR TSI Evo | 89.9% | 3,062 | 29,458 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Lambretta GP200 (89.3% pass rate) and the Lambretta LI125 (88.9% pass rate), the Lambretta Li sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Lambretta Li you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Lambretta LiShould you buy a used Lambretta Li?
The Lambretta Li has an overall MOT pass rate of 88.9% across 9,743 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common problems on the Lambretta Li are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (97 recorded failures), roller brake test the less effective brake control does not achieve an efficiency of 25%. (86), and steering headbearing has excessive free play (75). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Lambretta Li owner drives around 228 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Lambretta Li models stay on UK roads for around 67 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.