Lambretta Li 125 Series 3 MOT Pass Rate
Overall pass rate across all manufacture years, based on 93 real MOT test results. Failure rate: 8.6%.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
Lambretta Li 125 Series 3 MOT Reliability Overview
The Lambretta Li 125 Series 3 is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 93 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 2 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 91.4% and a failure rate of 8.6%, which is well above the UK average of approximately 37%.
Based on this data, the Lambretta Li 125 Series 3 earns a "Excellent" reliability rating. The average Lambretta Li 125 Series 3 presents for MOT with approximately 9,105 miles on the clock. Manufacture year matters: 1962 models achieve the highest pass rate at 93.5%, while 1963 models have the lowest at 90.9%. This 2.6 percentage point difference suggests notable variation in build quality or component durability across production years.
The most common MOT failure for the Lambretta Li 125 Series 3 is Motorcycle lighting and signalling, affecting 8.6% of all tests. Motorcycle lighting and signalling issues are a common cause of MOT failure. Regular inspection and maintenance of these components helps ensure your vehicle passes its MOT. The second most common issue is Motorcycle brakes at 3.2%. Motorcycle body and structure rounds out the top three at 2.2%. Together, these top 3 failure categories account for a significant portion of all MOT failures for this model.
Top failures across all manufacture years combined. Individual year pages may show different top failures.
What Fails Most
Pass Rate by Manufacture Year
* High Fail Rate badge indicates an MOT pass rate below 65% (failure rate above 35%).
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Motorcycle Lighting And Signalling | 8.6% | 8 |
| 2 | Motorcycle Brakes | 4.3% | 4 |
| 3 | Motorcycle Body And Structure | 2.2% | 2 |
| 4 | Motorcycle Fuel And Exhaust | 1.1% | 1 |
| 5 | Motorcycle Steering And Suspension | 1.1% | 1 |
| 6 | Motorcycle Steering | 1.1% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 9,105 miFor every 10,000 miles driven, this shows what percentage of MOT tests fail for each category. This accounts for how far cars are actually driven, not just raw pass/fail counts.
View as table
| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motorcycle lighting and signalling | 9.45 | 8.6% | 8 |
| Motorcycle brakes | 4.72 | 4.3% | 4 |
| Motorcycle body and structure | 2.36 | 2.2% | 2 |
| Motorcycle fuel and exhaust | 1.18 | 1.1% | 1 |
| Motorcycle steering and suspension | 1.18 | 1.1% | 1 |
| Motorcycle steering | 1.18 | 1.1% | 1 |
🚗 Similar Cars to Consider
Mileage at MOT
The average Lambretta Li 125 Series 3 has 9,105 miles when tested for MOT.
📊 Mileage-Adjusted Failure Rate
How often this car fails MOT relative to how much it's driven — a fairer comparison than raw pass rate.
The Lambretta Li 125 Series 3 has a mileage-adjusted failure rate of 9.45% per 10,000 miles driven. The average across all makes is 5.38%, so this model is worse than average.
About Lambretta Li 125 Series 3 MOT Data
The Lambretta Li 125 Series 3 is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 93 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 2 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 91.4% and a failure rate of 8.6%, which is well above the UK average of approximately 37%.
For Lambretta Li 125 Series 3 owners, these results suggest a reliable vehicle that generally passes its MOT without major issues. Focus your pre-MOT checks on motorcycle lighting and signalling and motorcycle brakes for the best chance of a first-time pass. Use our detailed year-by-year breakdown and failure analysis below to understand how your specific Li 125 Series 3 is likely to perform.
Motorcycle lighting and signalling — 8.6% of failures
Motorcycle lighting and signalling issues account for 8.6% of MOT failures on the Lambretta Li 125 Series 3. Motorcycle lighting and signalling issues are a common cause of MOT failure. Regular inspection and maintenance of these components helps ensure your vehicle passes its MOT. Typical repair costs: £100–400. Pre-MOT check: Have this system checked during regular servicing. Look for warning signs like unusual noises, vibrations, or dashboard warning lights.
Motorcycle brakes — 3.2% of failures
Motorcycle brakes issues account for 3.2% of MOT failures on the Lambretta Li 125 Series 3. Brake-related failures include worn brake pads, corroded brake discs, leaking brake lines, and faulty brake servos. These are safety-critical components — any brake deficiency will result in an MOT fail. Typical repair costs: £150–400. Pre-MOT check: Listen for squealing or grinding noises. Check brake pedal feel — if it feels spongy or goes to the floor, have the system inspected immediately. Look at brake pad thickness through the wheel spokes (minimum 3mm).
Motorcycle body and structure — 2.2% of failures
Motorcycle body and structure issues account for 2.2% of MOT failures on the Lambretta Li 125 Series 3. Body and structure failures include excessive corrosion, sharp edges, loose panels, and damage to the vehicle frame. Rust is the primary concern, especially on older vehicles or those exposed to road salt. Typical repair costs: £100–500+. Pre-MOT check: Inspect sills, wheel arches, door bottoms, and the chassis for rust. Surface rust is acceptable but structural corrosion or holes will fail. Check that all doors, bonnet, and boot close securely.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Lambretta Li 125 Series 3?
Based on 93 (based on limited data) MOT tests in our database, the Lambretta Li 125 Series 3 has an overall pass rate of 91.4% (8.6% fail rate).
What are the most common MOT failures on a Lambretta Li 125 Series 3?
The top 3 reasons a Lambretta Li 125 Series 3 fails its MOT are: 1. Motorcycle lighting and signalling (8.6%), 2. Motorcycle brakes (3.2%), 3. Motorcycle body and structure (2.2%). Check these areas before booking your MOT.
Is the Lambretta Li 125 Series 3 reliable?
With a 8.6% MOT failure rate, the Li 125 Series 3 is more reliable than average compared to the UK average of ~40%.
What should I check before an MOT on my Lambretta Li 125 Series 3?
Based on failure data, focus on: Motorcycle lighting and signalling (8.6%); Motorcycle brakes (3.2%); Motorcycle body and structure (2.2%). These are the areas most likely to cause a fail. Also check all lights, tyres (minimum 1.6mm tread), and windscreen condition — these are quick wins that apply to all cars.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.