Modern Vespa

Bit gutted as have just bought first vespa from my local family motorcycle shop, got home and noticed that the underside is rusting, with the paint flaking and unstable.
Can anyone tell me if this is normal and how best to repair? Any thoughts appreciated.

I had similar on my 2013 lx125ie. Its probably from the winter salt on the roads and er poor application of the paint by Vespa. I rubbed the flaky paint off and got a small wire brush and got rid of as much rust as possible and used the anti rust acid and then painted with smooth hammerite. Will keep and eye on it and probably paint again next spring. Remember some of the water gets in via the horn vent. So when you take out the glove compartment check the rust on the inside...!

THAT! is not wire brush rust!!!
It is into the metal seam too and requires a serious effort to get anywhere near to being properly cleaned up. If your inexperienced with such rust removal might want to ask a pro. Once removed then you'll know whats left?
Also requires proper chemical treatment after cleanup then primered and painted of course.

Go to the "search" function. Enter "rust" at the top. Select the "general discussion" forum. And check "search message title only" over on the right. Dozens of past posts will come up on how others have approach treating and protecting modern Vespa bodies from rust. Two tricks, of course. The first is removing rust and treating the metal surface. The second are durable coatings that will protect the underneath body/frame better than conventional paint.

On my GTS when the battery is removed along with the base, you can then see the above the belly area which will offer a look/see inspection of whether or not that rust has come above. It appears to possibly have done so as the metal seam is involved.
Size up the damage, go from there.

6 yr old scooter in england where all vehicles are subject to rusting looks normal to me for the age.

You bought a used scooter and should have done your due diligence by looking it over very close before purchasing.

now can it be treated and reduced. YES

And I'd say not normal - but all too common on older scoots in London that have been neglected by their previous owners. I had Vespas living outside and used all year round in the UK for quite a few years. No hint of rust underneath, even with the nasty stuff they put on the roads over winter. BUT - I'd wash them off underneath if they'd been out on 'salted' roads.

It's not terminal - grind off all the flaky stuff, and the paint well beyond just to be sure. Phosphoric acid based rust converter, followed by a neutralising wash and then a good primer and topcoat and all will be well.