Lambretta Unknown (1982)

196 real MOT outcomes analysed • 5.7% first-time pass rate

1982 Lambretta Unknown

CarHunch analysed 196 real MOT records for the 1982 Lambretta Unknown. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

This 1982 Lambretta has a first-time MOT pass rate of just 5.7%, catastrophically below the UK average of 80%, though the complete absence of dangerous defects is a small mercy. The petrol variant fares no better at 5.2%, meaning virtually every example needs significant work to pass inspection.

These are elderly scooters with a median mileage of only 1,344 miles, suggesting most are either rarely ridden or stored for long periods—a state that breeds electrical and corrosion gremlins rather than mechanical wear. If you're considering one, budget for a full recommissioning before riding: fuel system cleaning, brake bleeding, wiring checks, and tyre/battery replacement are near-certainties.

Below average reliability 74.3% below UK average
5.7%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
1,344
typical mileage
114–14,133 middle half
0%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
0.02
avg MOT failures per car
over 1.1 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1982 Lambretta Unknown

Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
  • 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
  • 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
  • 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.

Before you buy a Lambretta Unknown

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

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Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Petrol (99%) 195 5.2% 0.02
Other (1%) 1 100% 0

Mileage Distribution

Most 1982 Lambretta Unknown vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

114
low mileage
1,344
typical
14,133
high mileage

Half of all 1982 Lambretta Unknown vehicles fall between 114 and 14,133 miles.

MOT History Averages

1.1
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
0.02
Avg failures per vehicle
0.1
Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 1982 Lambretta Unknown

Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.

  • 15.4%
    Steering headbearing has slight free play
  • 11.5%
    Exhaust noisy
  • 11.5%
    Throttle operating incorrectly
  • 11.5%
    Rear Position lamp not working
  • 11.5%
    Front Wheel has a slightly distorted bead rim
  • 11.5%
    Rear Brake indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort
  • 7.7%
    Exhaust noisy
  • 7.7%
    Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1982. Counts include advisories and failures.

Found a specific Lambretta Unknown?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

UK

Other model years — Lambretta Unknown:

1980 1981 1983