Piaggio Vespa Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Piaggio Vespa car check
Is the Piaggio Vespa reliable? We analysed 355,016 real MOT tests across 47,189 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Piaggio Vespa? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Piaggio Vespa 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 stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Piaggio Vespa.
Piaggio Vespa Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Piaggio Vespa. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Piaggio Vespa MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Piaggio Vespa to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Piaggio Vespa Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Piaggio Vespa fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Piaggio Vespa Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Piaggio Vespa models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Piaggio Vespa Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Piaggio Vespa owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Piaggio Vespa MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Piaggio Vespa year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 289 | 89.6% | 1,558 | 3,988 | 8,891 |
| 2020 | 2,615 | 93.2% | 1,636 | 3,681 | 7,033 |
| 2019 | 4,069 | 93.2% | 2,010 | 4,152 | 7,892 |
| 2018 | 6,548 | 93.0% | 2,078 | 4,407 | 8,520 |
| 2017 | 8,643 | 92.8% | 2,587 | 5,293 | 10,019 |
| 2016 | 13,676 | 90.7% | 2,535 | 5,493 | 10,360 |
| 2015 | 13,576 | 89.7% | 3,424 | 6,926 | 12,878 |
| 2014 | 15,823 | 88.3% | 3,795 | 7,778 | 14,086 |
| 2013 | 16,372 | 87.1% | 4,508 | 9,170 | 15,904 |
| 2012 | 11,810 | 85.8% | 4,898 | 9,871 | 17,437 |
| 2011 | 8,415 | 85.6% | 4,601 | 9,504 | 16,637 |
| 2010 | 9,876 | 83.4% | 6,128 | 11,940 | 20,178 |
| 2009 | 12,074 | 83.3% | 6,740 | 12,446 | 20,497 |
| 2008 | 17,664 | 82.7% | 6,914 | 12,926 | 21,226 |
| 2007 | 22,979 | 82.7% | 7,433 | 13,536 | 21,706 |
| 2006 | 25,516 | 82.5% | 7,892 | 14,042 | 22,470 |
| 2005 | 24,986 | 82.2% | 7,546 | 13,888 | 22,772 |
| 2004 | 21,214 | 81.1% | 6,029 | 11,300 | 19,071 |
| 2003 | 26,081 | 81.8% | 6,102 | 11,164 | 18,499 |
| 2002 | 21,567 | 80.8% | 6,467 | 11,181 | 17,460 |
How Long Does a Piaggio Vespa Last?
Based on 47,189 Piaggio Vespa vehicles on UK roads.
Piaggio Vespa Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Piaggio Vespa 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 Piaggio Vespa
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
93.2% MOT pass rate from 4,069 tests
78.8% MOT pass rate from 16,588 tests
The best year to buy a used Piaggio Vespa is 2019, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 93.2% across 4,069 tests. The 2000 model year has the lowest pass rate at 78.8% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Piaggio Vespa Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Piaggio Vespa THIS CAR | 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 |
| Piaggio Px 125 (vespa) | 84.1% | 41,388 | 10,504 mi | 27 yrs |
| Peugeot Bipper | 72.9% | 381,653 | 79,989 mi | 18 yrs |
Compared to the Piaggio Zip (77.0% pass rate) and the Piaggio Nrg (72.9% pass rate), the Piaggio Vespa outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Piaggio Vespa 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 Piaggio VespaShould you buy a used Piaggio Vespa?
The Piaggio Vespa has an overall MOT pass rate of 83.8% across 355,016 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 Vespa are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (6,210 recorded failures), headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam (3,809), and stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (2,327). 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 Piaggio Vespa with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.
A typical Piaggio Vespa owner drives around 722 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 Vespa models stay on UK roads for around 30 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.