I purchased a Piaggio Zip 50cc Scooter on 19/05/2004 and it has since covered 5,500 miles in the intervening five years, never outside the Torbay area 30 mph limit. I use it only in fine weather, to beat the Torquay traffic and parking, especially in the summer months, and it is garaged at night. Taking it in for its 3rd MOT, I was informed last Tuesday that it had comprehensively failed, as the front suspension was in a state of near-collapse, and that the parts alone (new front fork etc.) would cost in the region of £300. It was so damaged that the chance of complete collapse and pitch poling over the handlebars was very real. Do you think that I was sold "a pup"? Privately, I strongly suspect the appalling state of the Torquay roads, with potholes, subsidences and generally extremely poor surfaces and that 5,500 miles of being hammered has caused the damage. It has, of course, very small diameter wheels, which pick up every minor undulation. What would you suggest as a more suitable bike, simply for around town?