Once the Lambretta had ceased production, its downfall in the UK was inevitable and came at an alarming speed. Once factory support was withdrawn, the value of second-hand machines plummeted and a glut of second-hand ones appeared, making them even harder to sell. While some dealers remained loyal, the majority got out as quickly as possible, trying not to make a loss. Those that sold motorcycles focused their efforts elsewhere, but the scooter-only shops had no choice but to try and carry on.
The aftermath
Selling second-hand Lambrettas became a difficult job and most dealers concentrated on servicing those belonging to loyal customers. This secured a flow of work but also enabled them to get rid of unwanted spares and accessories. The only alternative to servicing was tuning, but that was skilled work and even before the factory closed had been a niche market. Thankfully, those wanting to spend money on tuning
