Sym 125 MOT Pass Rate
Overall pass rate across all manufacture years, based on 71 real MOT test results. Failure rate: 16.9%.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
Sym 125 MOT Reliability Overview
The Sym 125 is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 71 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 0 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 83.1% and a failure rate of 16.9%, which is well above the UK average of approximately 37%.
Based on this data, the Sym 125 earns a "Excellent" reliability rating. The average Sym 125 presents for MOT with approximately 15,148 miles on the clock.
The most common MOT failure for the Sym 125 is Motorcycle steering and suspension, affecting 12.7% of all tests. Suspension failures typically involve worn bushes, leaking shock absorbers, broken coil springs, and damaged suspension arms. These affect ride quality, tyre wear, and road holding. The second most common issue is Motorcycle brakes at 8.5%. Motorcycle drive system rounds out the top three at 5.6%. Together, these top 3 failure categories account for a significant portion of all MOT failures for this model.
Top failures across all manufacture years combined. Individual year pages may show different top failures.
What Fails Most
* High Fail Rate badge indicates an MOT pass rate below 65% (failure rate above 35%).
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Motorcycle Steering And Suspension | 12.7% | 9 |
| 2 | Motorcycle Brakes | 8.5% | 6 |
| 3 | Motorcycle Tyres And Wheels | 5.6% | 4 |
| 4 | Motorcycle Drive System | 5.6% | 4 |
| 5 | Motorcycle Suspension | 4.2% | 3 |
| 6 | Motorcycle Structure And Attachments | 4.2% | 3 |
| 7 | Motorcycle Lamps And Reflectors | 4.2% | 3 |
| 8 | Motorcycle Lighting And Signalling | 2.8% | 2 |
| 9 | Motorcycle Body And Structure | 1.4% | 1 |
| 10 | Motorcycle Fuel And Exhaust | 1.4% | 1 |
| 11 | Motorcycle Audible Warning (Horn) | 1.4% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 15,148 miFor every 10,000 miles driven, this shows what percentage of MOT tests fail for each category. This accounts for how far cars are actually driven, not just raw pass/fail counts.
View as table
| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motorcycle steering and suspension | 8.37 | 12.7% | 9 |
| Motorcycle brakes | 5.58 | 8.5% | 6 |
| Motorcycle tyres and wheels | 3.72 | 5.6% | 4 |
| Motorcycle drive system | 3.72 | 5.6% | 4 |
| Motorcycle suspension | 2.79 | 4.2% | 3 |
| Motorcycle structure and attachments | 2.79 | 4.2% | 3 |
| Motorcycle lamps and reflectors | 2.79 | 4.2% | 3 |
| Motorcycle lighting and signalling | 1.86 | 2.8% | 2 |
| Motorcycle body and structure | 0.93 | 1.4% | 1 |
| Motorcycle fuel and exhaust | 0.93 | 1.4% | 1 |
| Motorcycle audible warning (Horn) | 0.93 | 1.4% | 1 |
🚗 Similar Cars to Consider
Mileage at MOT
The average Sym 125 has 15,148 miles when tested for MOT.
📊 Mileage-Adjusted Failure Rate
How often this car fails MOT relative to how much it's driven — a fairer comparison than raw pass rate.
The Sym 125 has a mileage-adjusted failure rate of 11.16% per 10,000 miles driven. The average across all makes is 5.38%, so this model is worse than average.
About Sym 125 MOT Data
The Sym 125 is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 71 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 0 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 83.1% and a failure rate of 16.9%, which is well above the UK average of approximately 37%.
For Sym 125 owners, these results suggest a reliable vehicle that generally passes its MOT without major issues. Focus your pre-MOT checks on motorcycle steering and suspension and motorcycle brakes for the best chance of a first-time pass. Use our detailed year-by-year breakdown and failure analysis below to understand how your specific 125 is likely to perform.
Motorcycle steering and suspension — 12.7% of failures
Motorcycle steering and suspension issues account for 12.7% of MOT failures on the Sym 125. Suspension failures typically involve worn bushes, leaking shock absorbers, broken coil springs, and damaged suspension arms. These affect ride quality, tyre wear, and road holding. Typical repair costs: £200–500. Pre-MOT check: Look for uneven tyre wear, listen for clunking over bumps, and check if the car pulls to one side. A bouncy ride suggests worn shock absorbers. Visually inspect coil springs for cracks.
Motorcycle brakes — 8.5% of failures
Motorcycle brakes issues account for 8.5% of MOT failures on the Sym 125. Brake-related failures include worn brake pads, corroded brake discs, leaking brake lines, and faulty brake servos. These are safety-critical components — any brake deficiency will result in an MOT fail. Typical repair costs: £150–400. Pre-MOT check: Listen for squealing or grinding noises. Check brake pedal feel — if it feels spongy or goes to the floor, have the system inspected immediately. Look at brake pad thickness through the wheel spokes (minimum 3mm).
Motorcycle drive system — 5.6% of failures
Motorcycle drive system issues account for 5.6% of MOT failures on the Sym 125. Motorcycle drive system issues are a common cause of MOT failure. Regular inspection and maintenance of these components helps ensure your vehicle passes its MOT. Typical repair costs: £100–400. Pre-MOT check: Have this system checked during regular servicing. Look for warning signs like unusual noises, vibrations, or dashboard warning lights.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Sym 125?
Based on 71 (based on limited data) MOT tests in our database, the Sym 125 has an overall pass rate of 83.1% (16.9% fail rate).
What are the most common MOT failures on a Sym 125?
The top 3 reasons a Sym 125 fails its MOT are: 1. Motorcycle steering and suspension (12.7%), 2. Motorcycle brakes (8.5%), 3. Motorcycle drive system (5.6%). Check these areas before booking your MOT.
Is the Sym 125 reliable?
With a 16.9% MOT failure rate, the 125 is more reliable than average compared to the UK average of ~40%.
What should I check before an MOT on my Sym 125?
Based on failure data, focus on: Motorcycle steering and suspension (12.7%); Motorcycle brakes (8.5%); Motorcycle drive system (5.6%). These are the areas most likely to cause a fail. Also check all lights, tyres (minimum 1.6mm tread), and windscreen condition — these are quick wins that apply to all cars.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.