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Moto Guzzi Spada Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Moto Guzzi Spada car check

Is the Moto Guzzi Spada reliable? We analysed 843 real MOT tests across 125 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 843 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
84.2%
Typical Mileage
46,218mi
Annual Mileage
675mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
48yrs

The Moto Guzzi Spada is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick and direction indicator not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Moto Guzzi Spada.

Moto Guzzi Spada Number Plates

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

Moto Guzzi Spada MOT Pass Rate by Year

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

80%
1982
84.1%
1981
85.3%
1980
83.2%
1979
90.2%
1978

Moto Guzzi Spada Problems — What Goes Wrong?

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

Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 12
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 6
Direction indicator not working 6
Horn not working 6
Roller brake test indicates a binding brake 6
Roller brake test The less effective brake control does not achieve an efficiency of 25%. 5
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 5
Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside 4

Moto Guzzi Spada Common Faults & Problems

These are the most common serious faults found on Moto Guzzi Spada models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.

Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 3

Moto Guzzi Spada Mileage — What's Normal?

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

Low usage
236 mi/yr
Typical
675 mi/yr
Average
1,278 mi/yr
Heavy usage
1,682 mi/yr

Moto Guzzi Spada MOT Data by Registration Year

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

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
1982 100 80.0% 40,398 54,460 61,275
1981 145 84.1% 20,866 39,900 47,004
1980 204 85.3% 37,224 52,884 62,367
1979 125 83.2% 23,100 41,241 52,276
1978 51 90.2% 26,631 30,824 48,078

How Long Does a Moto Guzzi Spada Last?

Based on 125 Moto Guzzi Spada vehicles on UK roads.

Average
31.0 years
Median
35.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
48 years

Moto Guzzi Spada Mileage Distribution

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

Median
46,218 mi
75th Percentile
61,254 mi
95th Percentile
81,066 mi
Max Recorded
343,692 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Moto Guzzi Spada

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

Best year
1978

90.2% MOT pass rate from 51 tests

Year to avoid
1982

80.0% MOT pass rate from 100 tests

The best year to buy a used Moto Guzzi Spada is 1978, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 90.2% across 51 tests. The 1982 model year has the lowest pass rate at 80.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Moto Guzzi Spada Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Moto Guzzi Spada THIS CAR 84.2% 843 46,218 mi 48 yrs
Moto Guzzi California 87.6% 17,571 18,051 mi 47 yrs
Moto Guzzi Breva 88.6% 11,089 14,395 mi 23 yrs
Moto Guzzi V7 90.8% 6,390 6,566 mi 17 yrs
Audi A4 Avant S Line TDI 79.7% 1,166 138,271 mi — yrs

Compared to the Moto Guzzi California (87.6% pass rate) and the Moto Guzzi Breva (88.6% pass rate), the Moto Guzzi Spada trails behind on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Moto Guzzi Spada?

The Moto Guzzi Spada has an overall MOT pass rate of 84.2% across 843 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 Moto Guzzi Spada are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (12 recorded failures), brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (6), and direction indicator not working (6). 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.

On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Moto Guzzi Spada with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.

A typical Moto Guzzi Spada owner drives around 675 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 Moto Guzzi Spada models stay on UK roads for around 48 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.

Moto Guzzi Spada — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Moto Guzzi Spada reliable?
Based on 843 MOT tests, the Moto Guzzi Spada has a 84.2% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Moto Guzzi Spada?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick, and direction indicator not working. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Moto Guzzi Spada do per year?
The typical Moto Guzzi Spada does around 675 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Moto Guzzi Spada last?
Most Moto Guzzi Spada models stay on UK roads for around 48 years based on our analysis of 125 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Moto Guzzi Spada?
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 Moto Guzzi Spada?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Moto Guzzi Spada is 1978 with a 90.2% pass rate across 51 tests.