Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2016 Piaggio Zip?

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 2016 Piaggio Zip?

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 2016 Piaggio Zip?

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.

How many 2016 Piaggio Zip vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

27% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2016 Piaggio Zip reliable?

Based on MOT data from 302 vehicles, the 2016 Piaggio Zip has a first-time MOT pass rate of 80%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2016 Piaggio Zip?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2016 Piaggio Zip are: Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (29.6% of vehicles), Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (21.2% of vehicles), Front Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit (14.3% 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 2016 Piaggio Zip?

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 Zip (2016)

302 real MOT outcomes analysed • 80% first-time pass rate

2016 Piaggio Zip

CarHunch analysed 302 real MOT records for the 2016 Piaggio Zip. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

On this page

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

Moderate sample. 302 vehicles on record. Figures are indicative — the specific vehicle's history matters more than these averages.

The 2016 Piaggio ZIP has a first-time pass rate of 78.9%, which is just slightly below the UK average of 80%, suggesting broadly average reliability for the mileage seen. However, 26.8% of these scooters have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, which is notably high and a real concern for any prospective buyer—steering, braking, or structural issues aren't something to overlook on a two-wheeler.

At just under 8,800 miles on average, these Zips are running low mileage for their age, which typically supports better condition, yet they're still averaging 1.01 failures and 2.1 advisories per test. That suggests the failures showing up aren't minor wear items—with one failure per vehicle and a median CARHunch score of just 55, you'll want to have any used example inspected by a specialist mechanic before purchase, particularly checking brakes, electrics, and suspension components where the dangerous defect figure hints problems lurk.

The 2016 Piaggio Zip has a decent first-time pass rate (80%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 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

80%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

26.8%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

1.01

Over 4.3 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

Middle half: 5k–12k

For context

🔧 Average reliability. Passes at roughly the UK rate — not a standout, not a problem vehicle. Individual history makes all the difference.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 2.1 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 302 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.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

What tends to go wrong

Across 302 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 29.6%

Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · 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.

Brake wear 14.3%

Front Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit · Front Brake lever is bent but brake can still be readily applied · Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.0 mm thick · …

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

Lighting 13.3%

Rear reflector missing · Headlamp not working on dipped beam · Front Stop lamp not working · …

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

Exhaust & emissions 12.2%

Exhaust noisy

Other issues 12%

COVID-19 6 MONTH EXTENSION · Horn not working

Suspension & steering 9.4%

Steering headbearing slightly stiff or notchy · Steering headbearing has slight free play

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

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2016.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 302 Piaggio Zip cars.

Before you buy a 2016 Piaggio Zip

Based on MOT data from 302 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 26.8% 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

Colour Breakdown

Based on 27,418 Piaggio Zip vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Black 34.1%

9,338

Blue 24.7%

6,772

Red 22.9%

6,279

Silver 8%

2,201

White 5.5%

1,499

Grey 2.2%

605

Pink 0.9%

244

Green 0.5%

136

Orange 0.5%

127

Yellow 0.4%

104

Purple 0.3%

Multi-colour 0.1%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2016 Piaggio Zip 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.

7,767

typical

4,878

low mileage

11,635

high mileage

Half of all 2016 Piaggio Zip vehicles fall between 4,878 and 11,635 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 4,878 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.

✓ 4,878–11,635 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2016 Piaggio Zips sit.

⚠ Over 15,707 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2016 Piaggio Zip — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 44% of 2016 Piaggio Zips are still active.

Numbers are declining — 93 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (44% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2018–2025.
* 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

4.3

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

1.01

Avg failures per vehicle

2.1

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

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Compare with another model

See how the 2016 Piaggio Zip stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing