Sym Aj MOT Pass Rate
Overall pass rate across all manufacture years, based on 305 real MOT test results. Failure rate: 26.2%.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
Sym Aj MOT Reliability Overview
The Sym Aj is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 305 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 4 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 73.8% and a failure rate of 26.2%, which is above the UK average of approximately 37%.
Based on this data, the Sym Aj earns a "Very Good" reliability rating. The average Sym Aj presents for MOT with approximately 7,514 miles on the clock. Manufacture year matters: 2016 models achieve the highest pass rate at 76.4%, while 2015 models have the lowest at 70.0%. This 6.4 percentage point difference suggests notable variation in build quality or component durability across production years.
The most common MOT failure for the Sym Aj is Motorcycle lamps and reflectors, affecting 23.3% of all tests. Lighting failures cover all external lights: headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and reflectors. A single blown bulb will cause an MOT fail. This is one of the most preventable failure categories. The second most common issue is Motorcycle brakes at 11.1%. Motorcycle tyres rounds out the top three at 7.2%. 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
Pass Rate by Manufacture Year
* 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 Lamps And Reflectors | 23.3% | 71 |
| 2 | Motorcycle Brakes | 11.1% | 34 |
| 3 | Motorcycle Tyres | 7.2% | 22 |
| 4 | Motorcycle Lighting And Signalling | 4.3% | 13 |
| 5 | Motorcycle Steering | 3.0% | 9 |
| 6 | Motorcycle Suspension | 2.6% | 8 |
| 7 | Motorcycle Structure And Attachments | 2.6% | 8 |
| 8 | Identification Of The Vehicle | 1.0% | 3 |
| 9 | Motorcycle Tyres And Wheels | 0.7% | 2 |
| 10 | Motorcycle Driving Controls | 0.3% | 1 |
| 11 | Motorcycle Fuel And Exhaust | 0.3% | 1 |
| 12 | Motorcycle Audible Warning (Horn) | 0.3% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 7,514 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 lamps and reflectors | 30.98 | 23.3% | 71 |
| Motorcycle brakes | 14.84 | 11.1% | 34 |
| Motorcycle tyres | 9.60 | 7.2% | 22 |
| Motorcycle lighting and signalling | 5.67 | 4.3% | 13 |
| Motorcycle steering | 3.93 | 3.0% | 9 |
| Motorcycle suspension | 3.49 | 2.6% | 8 |
| Motorcycle structure and attachments | 3.49 | 2.6% | 8 |
| Identification of the vehicle | 1.31 | 1.0% | 3 |
| Motorcycle tyres and wheels | 0.87 | 0.7% | 2 |
| Motorcycle driving controls | 0.44 | 0.3% | 1 |
| Motorcycle fuel and exhaust | 0.44 | 0.3% | 1 |
| Motorcycle audible warning (Horn) | 0.44 | 0.3% | 1 |
🚗 Similar Cars to Consider
Mileage at MOT
The average Sym Aj has 7,514 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 Aj has a mileage-adjusted failure rate of 34.87% per 10,000 miles driven. The average across all makes is 5.38%, so this model is worse than average.
About Sym Aj MOT Data
The Sym Aj is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 305 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 4 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 73.8% and a failure rate of 26.2%, which is above the UK average of approximately 37%.
For Sym Aj owners, these results suggest a reliable vehicle that generally passes its MOT without major issues. Focus your pre-MOT checks on motorcycle lamps and reflectors 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 Aj is likely to perform.
Motorcycle lamps and reflectors — 23.3% of failures
Motorcycle lamps and reflectors issues account for 23.3% of MOT failures on the Sym Aj. Lighting failures cover all external lights: headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and reflectors. A single blown bulb will cause an MOT fail. This is one of the most preventable failure categories. Typical repair costs: £5–50. Pre-MOT check: Walk around the car and check every light — headlights (dipped and main beam), side lights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, hazard lights, reverse light, rear fog light, and number plate lights. Replace any blown bulbs before the test.
Motorcycle brakes — 11.1% of failures
Motorcycle brakes issues account for 11.1% of MOT failures on the Sym Aj. 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 tyres — 7.2% of failures
Motorcycle tyres issues account for 7.2% of MOT failures on the Sym Aj. Tyre failures include tread depth below the legal minimum of 1.6mm, cuts, bulges, exposed cords, and incorrect tyre pressure. Tyres are one of the most common and easiest-to-prevent MOT failures. Typical repair costs: £50–200 per tyre. Pre-MOT check: Check tread depth with a 20p coin — if the outer band is visible, the tyre is too worn. Look for bulges, cuts, or embedded objects. Ensure all tyres match the recommended size and load rating.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Sym Aj?
Based on 305 MOT tests in our database, the Sym Aj has an overall pass rate of 73.8% (26.2% fail rate).
What are the most common MOT failures on a Sym Aj?
The top 3 reasons a Sym Aj fails its MOT are: 1. Motorcycle lamps and reflectors (23.3%), 2. Motorcycle brakes (11.1%), 3. Motorcycle tyres (7.2%). Check these areas before booking your MOT.
Is the Sym Aj reliable?
With a 26.2% MOT failure rate, the Aj is more reliable than average compared to the UK average of ~40%.
What should I check before an MOT on my Sym Aj?
Based on failure data, focus on: Motorcycle lamps and reflectors (23.3%); Motorcycle brakes (11.1%); Motorcycle tyres (7.2%). 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.