Piaggio Vespa (2012)
2012 Piaggio Vespa
CarHunch analysed 1,563 real MOT records for the 2012 Piaggio Vespa. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2012 Piaggio Vespa posts a first-time pass rate of 87.8%, which is a solid 7.8 percentage points above the UK average of 80%, suggesting these scooters are generally well-maintained. However, nearly 1 in 5 vehicles (18.2%) have experienced a dangerous defect at some point, which is a notable concern for safety-conscious buyers.
With a median mileage of just 9,176 miles for a 12-year-old scooter, these Vespas are typically low-mileage machines, and the average of 1.03 failures per vehicle points to straightforward, inexpensive repairs when issues do arise. Before purchasing, check the full MOT history for any dangerous defect flags and confirm the scooter has been regularly serviced, as the 2.3 average advisories per vehicle suggest minor wear accumulates even on lightly-used examples.
What to check before buying a 2012 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.
- 📄 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%) | 1,561 | 87.8% | 1.03 |
| Other (0%) | 2 | 93.8% | 0.5 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2012 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 2012 Piaggio Vespa vehicles fall between 4,644 and 15,642 miles.
2012 Piaggio Vespa — Still on the Road
639 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 58% of the peak remain.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2015–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2012 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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21.9%
Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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18.2%
Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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15%
Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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10.8%
Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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10.3%
Front Wheel bearing has slight play
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9.8%
Rear Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm
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8.5%
Headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam
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7.7%
Headlamp not working on dipped beam
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2012. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Piaggio Vespa?
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