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Lambretta LI125 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Lambretta LI125 car check

Is the Lambretta LI125 reliable? We analysed 16,544 real MOT tests across 2,750 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 16,544 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
88.9%
Typical Mileage
2,774mi
Annual Mileage
241mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
67yrs

The Lambretta LI125 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, steering headbearing has excessive free play and roller brake test the less effective brake control does not achieve an efficiency of 25%.. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Lambretta LI125.

Lambretta LI125 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Lambretta LI125. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Lambretta LI125 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Lambretta LI125 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

94.2%
2017
88.3%
2016
90.9%
2015
88.2%
2014
88.1%
2013
91.8%
2012
89.7%
2011
88.7%
2010
89.1%
2009
89.2%
2008
90.9%
2007
88.6%
2006
89.3%
2005
88.7%
2004
91.5%
2003
88.6%
2002
89.7%
2001
89.3%
2000
89.3%
1999
86.8%
1998

Lambretta LI125 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Lambretta LI125 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 145
Steering headbearing has excessive free play 122
Roller brake test The less effective brake control does not achieve an efficiency of 25%. 114
Headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam 103
position lamp does not illuminate immediately when it is switched on 84
Brake pedal has inadequate reserve travel 81
Headlamp at least one does not illuminate on main beam 76
Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 66
Horn not working 59
position lamp does not illuminate immediately when switched on 44

Lambretta LI125 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Lambretta LI125 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
65 mi/yr
Typical
241 mi/yr
Average
701 mi/yr
Heavy usage
619 mi/yr

Lambretta LI125 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Lambretta LI125 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2017 138 94.2% 13 308 9,346
2016 214 88.3% 54 672 14,174
2015 297 90.9% 37 579 13,272
2014 263 88.2% 244 1,032 18,522
2013 253 88.1% 202 1,936 13,194
2012 353 91.8% 181 913 4,278
2011 370 89.7% 401 1,600 8,273
2010 355 88.7% 475 2,121 15,499
2009 541 89.1% 331 1,248 3,791
2008 721 89.2% 545 1,599 5,908
2007 623 90.9% 651 2,012 8,853
2006 754 88.6% 1,034 2,885 14,921
2005 991 89.3% 659 2,984 18,160
2004 707 88.7% 1,198 4,585 19,910
2003 827 91.5% 1,335 3,996 13,034
2002 817 88.6% 1,635 4,847 22,099
2001 524 89.7% 1,558 8,075 25,312
2000 337 89.3% 2,249 9,538 31,260
1999 327 89.3% 1,448 9,328 21,335
1998 491 86.8% 1,278 3,751 9,366

How Long Does a Lambretta LI125 Last?

Based on 2,750 Lambretta LI125 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
25.9 years
Median
16.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
67 years

Lambretta LI125 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Lambretta LI125 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
2,774 mi
75th Percentile
15,383 mi
95th Percentile
43,746 mi
Max Recorded
747,599 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Lambretta LI125

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
2017

94.2% MOT pass rate from 138 tests

Year to avoid
1994

70.9% MOT pass rate from 55 tests

The best year to buy a used Lambretta LI125 is 2017, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 94.2% across 138 tests. The 1994 model year has the lowest pass rate at 70.9% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Lambretta LI125 Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Lambretta LI125 THIS CAR 88.9% 16,544 2,774 mi 67 yrs
Lambretta GP200 89.3% 20,062 2,269 mi 59 yrs
Lambretta LI150 90% 14,980 3,032 mi 68 yrs
Lambretta GP150 89% 12,975 1,758 mi 66 yrs
Suzuki SJ410 67.7% 16,216 67,016 mi 43 yrs

Compared to the Lambretta GP200 (89.3% pass rate) and the Lambretta LI150 (90.0% pass rate), the Lambretta LI125 trails behind on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Lambretta LI125?

The Lambretta LI125 has an overall MOT pass rate of 88.9% across 16,544 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 LI125 are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (145 recorded failures), steering headbearing has excessive free play (122), and roller brake test the less effective brake control does not achieve an efficiency of 25%. (114). 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 LI125 owner drives around 241 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 LI125 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.

Lambretta LI125 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Lambretta LI125 reliable?
Based on 16,544 MOT tests, the Lambretta LI125 has a 88.9% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Lambretta LI125?
The most common MOT failures are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, steering headbearing has excessive free play, and roller brake test the less effective brake control does not achieve an efficiency of 25%.. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Lambretta LI125 do per year?
The typical Lambretta LI125 does around 241 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Lambretta LI125 last?
Most Lambretta LI125 models stay on UK roads for around 67 years based on our analysis of 2,750 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Lambretta LI125?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Lambretta LI125?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Lambretta LI125 is 2017 with a 94.2% pass rate across 138 tests.