CarVerify

Piaggio ET4 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Piaggio ET4 car check

Is the Piaggio ET4 reliable? We analysed 1,194 real MOT tests across 150 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 1,194 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
78.6%
Typical Mileage
12,679mi
Annual Mileage
956mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
27yrs

The Piaggio ET4 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Piaggio ET4.

Piaggio ET4 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Piaggio ET4. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Piaggio ET4 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Piaggio ET4 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

79.4%
2004
81.9%
2003
80.7%
2002
73.4%
2001
78.4%
2000
81.5%
1999

Piaggio ET4 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Piaggio ET4 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 41
Headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam 19
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 17
Steering movement excessively 'notchy' with the wheel raised 14
Brake lever has inadequate reserve travel 12
Headlamp aim not tested 11
Stop lamp remains on when the brake is released 11
Headlamp at least one does not illuminate on main beam 11
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 10
shock absorber has inadequate damping effect. 10

Piaggio ET4 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Piaggio ET4 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
351 mi/yr
Typical
956 mi/yr
Average
1,527 mi/yr
Heavy usage
2,070 mi/yr

Piaggio ET4 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Piaggio ET4 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2004 199 79.4% 6,250 11,597 19,960
2003 94 81.9% 6,785 9,646 13,512
2002 218 80.7% 7,190 12,100 19,758
2001 233 73.4% 8,011 12,716 18,112
2000 255 78.4% 10,708 16,980 24,136
1999 81 81.5% 9,541 19,405 28,256

How Long Does a Piaggio ET4 Last?

Based on 150 Piaggio ET4 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
13.4 years
Median
13.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
27 years

Piaggio ET4 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Piaggio ET4 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
12,679 mi
75th Percentile
20,103 mi
95th Percentile
34,812 mi
Max Recorded
137,015 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Piaggio ET4

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

Best year
2003

81.9% MOT pass rate from 94 tests

Year to avoid
2001

73.4% MOT pass rate from 233 tests

The best year to buy a used Piaggio ET4 is 2003, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 81.9% across 94 tests. The 2001 model year has the lowest pass rate at 73.4% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Piaggio ET4 Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Piaggio ET4 THIS CAR 78.6% 1,194 12,679 mi 27 yrs
Piaggio Vespa 83.8% 355,016 10,772 mi 30 yrs
Piaggio Zip 77% 101,622 9,391 mi 29 yrs
Piaggio Nrg 72.9% 52,129 10,153 mi 27 yrs
Wuyang Wy 125-16C 71.3% 630 6,316 mi 19 yrs

Compared to the Piaggio Vespa (83.8% pass rate) and the Piaggio Zip (77.0% pass rate), the Piaggio ET4 sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Piaggio ET4?

The Piaggio ET4 has an overall MOT pass rate of 78.6% across 1,194 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 Piaggio ET4 are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (41 recorded failures), headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam (19), and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (17). 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 Piaggio ET4 owner drives around 956 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 Piaggio ET4 models stay on UK roads for around 27 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.

Piaggio ET4 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Piaggio ET4 reliable?
Based on 1,194 MOT tests, the Piaggio ET4 has a 78.6% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Piaggio ET4?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam, and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Piaggio ET4 do per year?
The typical Piaggio ET4 does around 956 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Piaggio ET4 last?
Most Piaggio ET4 models stay on UK roads for around 27 years based on our analysis of 150 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Piaggio ET4?
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 Piaggio ET4?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Piaggio ET4 is 2003 with a 81.9% pass rate across 94 tests.