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Lambretta SX Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Lambretta SX car check

Is the Lambretta SX reliable? We analysed 1,752 real MOT tests across 212 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 1,752 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
89.9%
Typical Mileage
2,919mi
Annual Mileage
243mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
60yrs

The Lambretta SX 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 SX.

Lambretta SX Number Plates

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

Lambretta SX MOT Pass Rate by Year

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

87%
2010
87.5%
2009
78.2%
2008
85.2%
2007
89.6%
2006
89.3%
2005
91.1%
2004
95.9%
2003
94.8%
2002
90.3%
2001
86.1%
2000
91.9%
1999
91.5%
1998
93.7%
1969
92.9%
1968
92.8%
1967
84.5%
1966

Lambretta SX Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Lambretta SX 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 12
Roller brake test The less effective brake control does not achieve an efficiency of 25%. 11
Steering headbearing has excessive free play 8
Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 8
Brake lever has inadequate reserve travel 6
Brake pedal has inadequate reserve travel 5
Headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam 5
Exhaust is leaking and excessively noisey 5
position lamp does not illuminate immediately when it is switched on 5
Horn not working 5

Lambretta SX Mileage — What's Normal?

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

Low usage
70 mi/yr
Typical
243 mi/yr
Average
737 mi/yr
Heavy usage
586 mi/yr

Lambretta SX MOT Data by Registration Year

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

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2010 69 87.0% 435 1,730 12,862
2009 64 87.5% 396 886 14,178
2008 78 78.2% 406 1,452 4,410
2007 81 85.2% 438 1,042 1,741
2006 67 89.6% 2,446 9,931 15,584
2005 56 89.3% 1,831 3,722 11,924
2004 56 91.1% 1,254 3,292 12,132
2003 73 95.9% 2,030 2,866 6,421
2002 97 94.8% 2,769 13,495 26,370
2001 62 90.3% 1,972 5,288 27,838
2000 72 86.1% 1,567 2,810 10,344
1999 62 91.9% 1,438 5,386 6,757
1998 82 91.5% 371 464 5,227
1969 63 93.7% 2,611 9,925 10,978
1968 84 92.9% 575 9,987 18,355
1967 195 92.8% 1,332 3,662 21,296
1966 97 84.5% 916 2,322 5,267

How Long Does a Lambretta SX Last?

Based on 212 Lambretta SX vehicles on UK roads.

Average
27.1 years
Median
20.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
60 years

Lambretta SX Mileage Distribution

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

Median
2,919 mi
75th Percentile
13,291 mi
95th Percentile
31,951 mi
Max Recorded
178,873 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Lambretta SX

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

Best year
2003

95.9% MOT pass rate from 73 tests

Year to avoid
2008

78.2% MOT pass rate from 78 tests

The best year to buy a used Lambretta SX is 2003, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 95.9% across 73 tests. The 2008 model year has the lowest pass rate at 78.2% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Lambretta SX Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Lambretta SX THIS CAR 89.9% 1,752 2,919 mi 60 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
Ford Transit Connect 220LEADER Eblu 81.4% 1,990 57,532 mi — yrs

Compared to the Lambretta GP200 (89.3% pass rate) and the Lambretta LI125 (88.9% pass rate), the Lambretta SX outperforms both on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Lambretta SX?

The Lambretta SX has an overall MOT pass rate of 89.9% across 1,752 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 SX are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (12 recorded failures), roller brake test the less effective brake control does not achieve an efficiency of 25%. (11), and steering headbearing has excessive free play (8). 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 SX owner drives around 243 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 SX models stay on UK roads for around 60 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 SX — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Lambretta SX reliable?
Based on 1,752 MOT tests, the Lambretta SX has a 89.9% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Lambretta SX?
The most common MOT failures are 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. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Lambretta SX do per year?
The typical Lambretta SX does around 243 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Lambretta SX last?
Most Lambretta SX models stay on UK roads for around 60 years based on our analysis of 212 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Lambretta SX?
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 SX?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Lambretta SX is 2003 with a 95.9% pass rate across 73 tests.