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Piaggio Zip 125 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Piaggio Zip 125 car check

Is the Piaggio Zip 125 reliable? We analysed 913 real MOT tests across 240 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 913 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
75.5%
Typical Mileage
11,320mi
Annual Mileage
1,171mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
25yrs

The Piaggio Zip 125 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 steering headbearing has excessive free play. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Piaggio Zip 125.

Piaggio Zip 125 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Piaggio Zip 125. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Piaggio Zip 125 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Piaggio Zip 125 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

76.8%
2004
68.7%
2003
72.1%
2002
79.2%
2001

Piaggio Zip 125 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Piaggio Zip 125 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 48
Headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam 15
Steering headbearing has excessive free play 15
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 15
Headlamp aim too high 14
Exhaust is leaking and excessively noisey 14
Steering movement excessively 'notchy' with the wheel raised 14
Stop lamp remains on when the brake is released 13
shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 11
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 11

Piaggio Zip 125 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Piaggio Zip 125 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
205 mi/yr
Typical
1,171 mi/yr
Average
1,976 mi/yr
Heavy usage
2,802 mi/yr

Piaggio Zip 125 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Piaggio Zip 125 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2004 142 76.8% 6,864 11,010 15,470
2003 150 68.7% 6,983 11,847 18,336
2002 240 72.1% 5,740 11,069 15,671
2001 366 79.2% 6,870 11,853 17,933

How Long Does a Piaggio Zip 125 Last?

Based on 240 Piaggio Zip 125 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
7.3 years
Median
6.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
25 years

Piaggio Zip 125 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Piaggio Zip 125 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
11,320 mi
75th Percentile
16,881 mi
95th Percentile
30,336 mi
Max Recorded
303,455 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Piaggio Zip 125

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

Best year
2001

79.2% MOT pass rate from 366 tests

Year to avoid
2003

68.7% MOT pass rate from 150 tests

The best year to buy a used Piaggio Zip 125 is 2001, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 79.2% across 366 tests. The 2003 model year has the lowest pass rate at 68.7% — 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 125 Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Piaggio Zip 125 THIS CAR 75.5% 913 11,320 mi 25 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
Aston Martin DB2 89.7% 858 36,526 mi 74 yrs

Compared to the Piaggio Vespa (83.8% pass rate) and the Piaggio Zip (77.0% pass rate), the Piaggio Zip 125 trails behind on MOT reliability.

Found a Piaggio Zip 125 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.

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Should you buy a used Piaggio Zip 125?

The Piaggio Zip 125 has an overall MOT pass rate of 75.5% across 913 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 125 are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (48 recorded failures), headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam (15), and steering headbearing has excessive free play (15). 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 125 owner drives around 1,171 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 125 models stay on UK roads for around 25 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 Zip 125 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Piaggio Zip 125 reliable?
Based on 913 MOT tests, the Piaggio Zip 125 has a 75.5% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Piaggio Zip 125?
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 steering headbearing has excessive free play. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Piaggio Zip 125 do per year?
The typical Piaggio Zip 125 does around 1,171 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Piaggio Zip 125 last?
Most Piaggio Zip 125 models stay on UK roads for around 25 years based on our analysis of 240 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Piaggio Zip 125?
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 Zip 125?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Piaggio Zip 125 is 2001 with a 79.2% pass rate across 366 tests.