Piaggio Vespa (2009)
2009 Piaggio Vespa
CarHunch analysed 1,320 real MOT records for the 2009 Piaggio Vespa. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2009 Piaggio Vespa has a first-time MOT pass rate of 85.1%, which is a solid 5 points above the UK average and suggests these scooters are generally well-maintained. However, one in five (20.2%) have experienced a dangerous defect at some point, which is a genuine concern for safety-conscious buyers and warrants a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
At nearly 13,500 miles on average, these Vespas show moderate use for their age, though the median of 12,087 miles suggests many have been kept relatively lightly ridden. Owners should expect around 1.5 failures and 3.6 advisories per test, typically pointing to wear items like brakes and cables rather than structural problems—so budget for routine maintenance and always get a recent MOT history before buying.
What to check before buying a 2009 Piaggio Vespa
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.
- ⚠️ 20.2% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 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 Piaggio Vespa
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (100%) | 1,319 | 85.1% | 1.49 |
| Electric (0%) | 1 | 100% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2009 Piaggio Vespa 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.
Half of all 2009 Piaggio Vespa vehicles fall between 6,754 and 18,766 miles.
2009 Piaggio Vespa — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 393 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (41% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2009 Piaggio Vespa
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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30.4%
Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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24.6%
Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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16.8%
Headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam
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16.3%
Rear Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm
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16.2%
Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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16.1%
Front wheel bearings have slight free play
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12.1%
Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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11.1%
Exhaust is leaking but is not excessively noisey
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2009. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Piaggio Vespa?
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