Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2004 Piaggio Px 125 (vespa)?

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 2004 Piaggio Px 125 (vespa)?

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 2004 Piaggio Px 125 (vespa)?

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 2004 Piaggio Px 125 (vespa) reliable?

Based on MOT data from 458 vehicles, the 2004 Piaggio Px 125 (vespa) has a first-time MOT pass rate of 86%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2004 Piaggio Px 125 (vespa)?

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 Px 125 (vespa) (2004)

458 real MOT outcomes analysed • 86% first-time pass rate

2004 Piaggio Px 125 (vespa)

CarHunch analysed 458 real MOT records for the 2004 Piaggio Px 125 (vespa). Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

Moderate sample. 458 vehicles on record. Figures are indicative — the specific vehicle's history matters more than these averages.

This 2004 Vespa has a first-time MOT pass rate of just 69.4%, notably below the UK average of 80%, suggesting these scooters are aging less gracefully than most vehicles on the road. With 15.3% of them having suffered a dangerous defect at some point, mechanical reliability is a real concern for any prospective buyer.

At an average mileage of 11,926 miles for a 20-year-old scooter, these machines have been used sparingly, yet they're still racking up an average of 1.4 failures and 3.1 advisories per test—indicating that age and storage rather than heavy use are the main culprits. Before committing to one, have a trusted mechanic inspect the fuel system, electrics, and brake components, as these tend to deteriorate on stored Vespas regardless of mileage.

The 2004 Piaggio Px 125 (vespa) passes its MOT first time at roughly the UK average rate (86%) — solid but worth checking this vehicle's history carefully.

⚠️ Around 1 in 8 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

86%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

15.3%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

1.4

Over 9 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

11k

Middle half: 6k–16k

For context

✅ Good baseline reliability. A 86% first-time pass rate puts this well above the UK average — it's a well-sorted vehicle in this age bracket.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 3.1 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 458 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?

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 458 Piaggio Px 125 (vespa) cars.

Before you buy a 2004 Piaggio Px 125 (vespa)

Based on MOT data from 458 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 15.3% 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 (95%)	434	85.5%	1.46

Colour Breakdown

Based on 5,235 Piaggio Px 125 (vespa) vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Black 24.4%

1,276

Silver 20.2%

1,055

Blue 19.7%

1,033

Green 12.8%

669

White 10%

525

Red 5.3%

275

Beige 3.2%

167

Grey 2.7%

141

Orange 0.5%

Yellow 0.5%

Cream 0.4%

Multi-colour 0.4%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2004 Piaggio Px 125 (vespa) 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.

10,509

typical

6,129

low mileage

16,083

high mileage

Half of all 2004 Piaggio Px 125 (vespa) vehicles fall between 6,129 and 16,083 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 6,129 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.

✓ 6,129–16,083 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2004 Piaggio Px 125 (vespa)s sit.

⚠ Over 21,712 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2004 Piaggio Px 125 (vespa) — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 63% of 2004 Piaggio Px 125 (vespa)s are still active.

116 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 63% of the peak remain.

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

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

1.4

Avg failures per vehicle

3.1

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Piaggio Px 125 (vespa): All Px 125 (vespa) years → Which year to buy? →

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2005 2006 2007 2008

Or browse all models: Piaggio →

Compare with another model

See how the 2004 Piaggio Px 125 (vespa) stacks up against a rival.

Average reliability — agree?