Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1997 Piaggio Hexagon?

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 1997 Piaggio Hexagon?

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 1997 Piaggio Hexagon?

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 1997 Piaggio Hexagon reliable?

Based on MOT data from 185 vehicles, the 1997 Piaggio Hexagon 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 1997 Piaggio Hexagon?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 1997 Piaggio Hexagon are: Front wheel bearings have slight free play (29.1% of vehicles), Front suspension has a slightly reduced damping effect (26.2% of vehicles), Front Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit (21.1% 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 1997 Piaggio Hexagon?

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 Hexagon (1997)

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

1997 Piaggio Hexagon

CarHunch analysed 185 real MOT records for the 1997 Piaggio Hexagon. 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 Mileage Distribution MOT Averages Compare Models

The 1997 Piaggio Hexagon has a first-time MOT pass rate of just 34.7%, well below the UK average of 80%, which signals genuine reliability concerns for this 27-year-old scooter model. The 4.3% dangerous defect rate is mercifully low, so safety isn't the primary worry—it's simply that these machines fail their tests frequently.

With a median mileage of only 11,756 miles, these are lightly-used survivors, yet they're still struggling to pass MOT, suggesting age-related deterioration rather than wear-and-tear is the culprit. The average vehicle racks up 1.3 advisories and 0.36 failures per test, pointing to chronic electrical, fuel system, and corrosion issues typical of 25-year-old Italian scooters. Before buying, have a trusted mechanic run a pre-purchase inspection focused on the charging system, carburetor condition, and frame rust—don't rely on the MOT history alone.

We have limited data for the 1997 Piaggio Hexagon — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

First-time pass

81.3%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

4.3%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.36

Over 2.3 tests on record

Low

Typical mileage

12k

Middle half: 10k–17k

For context

These stats describe 185 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 185 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Suspension & steering 29.1%

Front wheel bearings have slight free play · Front suspension has a slightly reduced damping effect · Rear shock absorber has a slightly reduced damping effect · …

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

Brake wear 21.1%

Front Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit · Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick · Front Brake disc(s) slightly worn · …

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

Tyre wear 16.9%

Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Rear Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm · Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · …

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

Lighting 10.1%

Exhaust slightly deteriorated

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

Exhaust & emissions 10.1%

Exhaust is leaking but is not excessively noisey

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1997.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 185 Piaggio Hexagon cars.

Before you buy a 1997 Piaggio Hexagon

Based on MOT data from 185 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 4.3% 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

Mileage Distribution

Most 1997 Piaggio Hexagon 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.

11,756

typical

9,783

low mileage

17,458

high mileage

Half of all 1997 Piaggio Hexagon vehicles fall between 9,783 and 17,458 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 9,783 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.

✓ 9,783–17,458 miles — normal for age. This is where most 1997 Piaggio Hexagons sit.

⚠ Over 23,568 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

MOT History Averages

2.3

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.36

Avg failures per vehicle

1.3

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

1995 1996 1998 1999 2000 2001

Or browse all models: Piaggio →

Compare with another model

See how the 1997 Piaggio Hexagon stacks up against a rival.

Average reliability — agree?