Sym common problems and MOT failures
From 7,217 MOT tests in 2024, 21.1% of Sym vehicles failed. Below are the most common reasons, ranked by how often they occur.
Top Sym MOT failure reasons
| # | Problem | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | tyre tread depth outside legal limits | 180 |
| 2 | brake lining or pad worn below 1.0mm | 143 |
| 3 | significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake | 137 |
| 4 | shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely | 133 |
| 5 | headlamp missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led | 89 |
| 6 | stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 85 |
| 7 | the aim of a headlamp is not within limits the requirements | 83 |
| 8 | exhaust system leaking or insecure | 70 |
| 9 | stop lamp(s) does not illuminate by the operation of both brake controls or remains on when the brakes are released | 68 |
| 10 | brake efficiency below minimum requirement | 66 |
What this means if you're buying a Sym
The single most common MOT failure for Sym is tyre tread depth outside legal limits, accounting for 17% of all failure items. A set of new tyres typically costs £200–£500 depending on size.
These figures are from real MOT inspections. They show what testers actually find wrong with Sym vehicles. If you're viewing a used Sym, it's worth checking these areas specifically.
Sym models by MOT pass rate
Lowest pass rates first. These models have the most testable issues.
| Model | Tests | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|
| Crox 125 E4 | 219 | 72.6% |
| Jet 14 125 E4 | 575 | 75.7% |
| Jet | 488 | 76% |
| Av | 391 | 76.5% |
| Jet 14 125 Ac E5 | 276 | 76.8% |
| Jet 4 125 E4 | 350 | 81.4% |
| Fiddle | 386 | 82.1% |
| Mask 50 | 251 | 82.5% |
Buying a specific Sym? Check the individual vehicle's MOT history for free on GOV.UK to see its actual test results, advisories, and mileage readings.
Check MOT history on GOV.UK