Piaggio Vespa (2021)

130 real MOT outcomes analysed • 93.7% first-time pass rate

2021 Piaggio Vespa

CarHunch analysed 130 real MOT records for the 2021 Piaggio Vespa. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

The 2021 Piaggio Vespa is a genuinely reliable scooter, with a 93.7% first-time pass rate that significantly outpaces the UK average of 80%—and only 6.9% have ever recorded a dangerous defect, which is reassuringly low. These machines are barely run in at this age, with a median mileage of just 3,278 miles, so you're looking at vehicles in early life with minimal wear.

The average scooter has racked up only 0.17 failures and 0.4 advisories per test, suggesting owners are either maintaining them well or simply not putting them through heavy use. Before committing to any purchase, have a pre-buy inspection done and confirm the service history—low mileage is good, but it's no substitute for proof that routine maintenance has actually happened.

Generally reliable 13.7% above UK average
93.7%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
3,278
typical mileage
1,301–7,749 middle half
6.9%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
0.17
avg MOT failures per car
over 1.9 tests on record

What to check before buying a 2021 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

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

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Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Petrol (95%) 123 93.6% 0.17
Electric (5%) 7 95.2% 0.14

Mileage Distribution

Most 2021 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.

1,301
low mileage
3,278
typical
7,749
high mileage

Half of all 2021 Piaggio Vespa vehicles fall between 1,301 and 7,749 miles.

MOT History Averages

1.9
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
0.17
Avg failures per vehicle
0.4
Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 2021 Piaggio Vespa

Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.

  • 21.9%
    Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 10.1%
    Exhaust noisy
  • 9.8%
    Rear Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm
  • 9.8%
    Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 9.5%
    Front Wheel bearing has slight play
  • 5.7%
    Steering headbearing slightly stiff or notchy
  • 4.1%
    Rear Brake indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort
  • 3.9%
    Headlamp aim too low

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2021. Counts include advisories and failures.

Found a specific Piaggio Vespa?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

UK

Other model years — Piaggio Vespa:

1980 1981 1982 1983 1985 1989 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020