Piaggio Zip Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Piaggio Zip car check
Is the Piaggio Zip reliable? We analysed 101,622 real MOT tests across 18,758 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Piaggio Zip? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Piaggio Zip is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam, shock absorber has inadequate damping effect. and steering headbearing has excessive free play. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Piaggio Zip.
Piaggio Zip Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Piaggio Zip. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Piaggio Zip MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Piaggio Zip to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Piaggio Zip Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Piaggio Zip fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Piaggio Zip Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Piaggio Zip owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Piaggio Zip MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Piaggio Zip year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 99 | 86.9% | 3,138 | 7,165 | 11,478 |
| 2019 | 278 | 84.2% | 3,596 | 7,364 | 10,356 |
| 2018 | 436 | 81.4% | 4,239 | 8,078 | 12,161 |
| 2017 | 921 | 80.5% | 4,020 | 7,262 | 11,188 |
| 2016 | 1,327 | 76.6% | 4,716 | 8,281 | 12,596 |
| 2015 | 1,434 | 79.4% | 5,102 | 8,926 | 13,810 |
| 2014 | 1,606 | 77.8% | 4,557 | 8,521 | 13,318 |
| 2013 | 1,958 | 79.6% | 4,714 | 8,334 | 12,715 |
| 2012 | 2,672 | 78.5% | 5,230 | 8,933 | 13,876 |
| 2011 | 3,409 | 77.0% | 4,910 | 8,408 | 12,835 |
| 2010 | 2,513 | 75.6% | 5,291 | 9,254 | 14,467 |
| 2009 | 4,753 | 77.5% | 5,362 | 9,449 | 14,104 |
| 2008 | 7,560 | 77.2% | 6,020 | 10,214 | 15,278 |
| 2007 | 6,932 | 77.0% | 5,601 | 9,524 | 15,360 |
| 2006 | 7,461 | 77.1% | 5,706 | 9,825 | 15,120 |
| 2005 | 4,600 | 77.4% | 5,326 | 8,942 | 13,937 |
| 2004 | 7,984 | 76.4% | 5,552 | 9,347 | 14,560 |
| 2003 | 10,254 | 77.2% | 5,164 | 9,351 | 14,753 |
| 2002 | 11,286 | 76.9% | 5,849 | 9,820 | 15,534 |
| 2001 | 13,289 | 76.0% | 6,196 | 10,228 | 15,685 |
How Long Does a Piaggio Zip Last?
Based on 18,758 Piaggio Zip vehicles on UK roads.
Piaggio Zip Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Piaggio Zip 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 Zip
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
86.9% MOT pass rate from 99 tests
75.6% MOT pass rate from 2,513 tests
The best year to buy a used Piaggio Zip is 2020, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 86.9% across 99 tests. The 2010 model year has the lowest pass rate at 75.6% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Piaggio Zip Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Piaggio Zip THIS CAR | 77.0% | 101,622 | 9,391 mi | 29 yrs |
| Piaggio Vespa | 83.8% | 355,016 | 10,772 mi | 30 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 |
| Reliant Rialto | 72% | 33,460 | 52,257 mi | 44 yrs |
Compared to the Piaggio Vespa (83.8% pass rate) and the Piaggio Nrg (72.9% pass rate), the Piaggio Zip sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
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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 ZipShould you buy a used Piaggio Zip?
The Piaggio Zip has an overall MOT pass rate of 77.0% across 101,622 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 Zip are headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam (1,911 recorded failures), shock absorber has inadequate damping effect. (1,706), and steering headbearing has excessive free play (1,581). 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 Zip owner drives around 987 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 Zip models stay on UK roads for around 29 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.