A Good Buy?

[Gerard C]

Is this a good buy? A Piaggio MP3 125 for around a grand, its a 2007. 10 month Tax 3 months MOT.

[MrGrumpy]

A grand for a 7 year old 125? Not an obvious bargain, when cheap 125s can be bought new for the same money, but of course an MP3 is rather more of a scoot than a cheap Chinese one.
My worry would be that the early MP3s had a reputation for not being very well built, with problems with the front suspension and wiring problems if I remember rightly. I remember seeing a fairly new one who's exhaust was already utterly rotten. I guess that the important thing is how well looked after it is - does it have a full dealer service history? If it looks well looked after and you fancy an MP3 (its heavy so it ain't going to be a ball of fire performance wise!), it might be worth a haggle.

[Gerard C]

Thanks for that. I realise that with a small motor It may have been / will be overworked. I only sort of fancied it for the novelty. I think I will look out for a bigger motor if a bargain comes along.

[mottza]

Gutless.

[StephenC]

Gutless.

What Mottza means to say is that the 125cc 15hp engine had to haul a scooter that weighs the same as most 500cc scooters with 40hp or more.

Mopeds will probably out drag it.

But if you are a sedate sort of person and are looking for the stability of three wheels, then OK. Just expect to want more oomph very soon.

[Steve_D]

It'll be a goodbye to £1000

[spaceprobe]

Agree engine too small for that heavy machine and yes early models had suspension problems and without wishing to offend anybody I would steer clear of a 7 years old italian.

[pikey]

If you just want to pootle about town it would be ok get you up to 50 easy enough .Most branded bikes bottom out at a grand if you are OK with spanners and not depending on it for work be OK .Buying 125 your in L plate market so bit more demand so hold there money .One reason I go for 200 Vespas bit more power and cheaper than 125 as less demand .

[mottza]

It'll take an age to 50. My 2 stroke moped pulled away from the lights quicker.