Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2003 Piaggio Et2?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2003 Piaggio Et2?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2003 Piaggio Et2?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

Is the 2003 Piaggio Et2 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 929 vehicles, the 2003 Piaggio Et2 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 81.3%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2003 Piaggio Et2?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2003 Piaggio Et2 are: Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (39.9% of vehicles), Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (39.3% of vehicles), Headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam (26% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2003 Piaggio Et2?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Piaggio Et2 (2003)

929 real MOT outcomes analysed • 81.3% first-time pass rate

2003 Piaggio Et2

CarHunch analysed 929 real MOT records for the 2003 Piaggio Et2. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2003 Piaggio ET2 has a first-time MOT pass rate of just 54.5%, significantly below the UK average of 80%, which is a real reliability concern for any buyer considering one. With 11.3% of vehicles ever having had a dangerous defect flagged, this scooter demands careful pre-purchase inspection and ongoing maintenance vigilance.

These machines average 8,239 miles on the clock, which is low for their age and suggests many have been parked for extended periods—a common reason for the poor pass rates you see here. The 1.32 failures and 2.4 advisories per vehicle point to carburation, electrics, and brake wear as typical trouble spots, so budget for a full service and any remedial work before relying on one for daily commuting.

The 2003 Piaggio Et2 passes its MOT first time at roughly the UK average rate (81.3%) — solid but worth checking this vehicle's history carefully.

⚠️ About 1 in 12 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

81.3%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

11.3%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

1.32

Over 6.5 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

Middle half: 4k–11k

For context

🔧 Average reliability. Passes at roughly the UK rate — not a standout, not a problem vehicle. Individual history makes all the difference.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 2.4 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 929 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Average reliability — agree?

What tends to go wrong

Across 929 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 39.9%

Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Rear Tyre tread not clearly visible · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Lighting 26%

Headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam · Headlamp aim too low · Exhaust slightly deteriorated

Usually cheap to fix. Worth confirming all lights work before collecting.

Suspension & steering 17%

Front wheel bearings have slight free play · Rear shock absorber has inadequate damping effect. · Steering movement slightly 'notchy'

Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.

Brake wear 15.7%

Front Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit · Rear Brake lever has inadequate reserve travel

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Exhaust & emissions 14.2%

Exhaust is leaking and excessively noisey · Exhaust is leaking but is not excessively noisey

Other issues 12.7%

Riders seat insecure · Horn not working

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2003.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 929 Piaggio Et2 cars.

Before you buy a 2003 Piaggio Et2

Based on MOT data from 929 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 11.3% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (100%)	925	81.4%	1.32

Colour Breakdown

Based on 6,493 Piaggio Et2 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Silver 25.4%

1,651

Blue 22.6%

1,467

White 17.6%

1,140

Black 14.7%

953

Grey 9.3%

601

Cream 3.2%

206

Green 3%

195

Red 2.9%

188

Pink 0.7%

Purple 0.3%

Multi-colour 0.2%

Beige 0.2%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2003 Piaggio Et2 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

7,393

typical

4,254

low mileage

11,441

high mileage

Half of all 2003 Piaggio Et2 vehicles fall between 4,254 and 11,441 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 4,254 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 4,254–11,441 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2003 Piaggio Et2s sit.

⚠ Over 15,445 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2003 Piaggio Et2 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 20% of 2003 Piaggio Et2s are still active.

Numbers are declining — 54 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (20% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

6.5

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

1.32

Avg failures per vehicle

2.4

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Piaggio Et2: All Et2 years → Which year to buy? →

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2004 2005

Or browse all models: Piaggio →

Compare with another model

See how the 2003 Piaggio Et2 stacks up against a rival.

Average reliability — agree?