Sym Jet Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Sym Jet car check
Is the Sym Jet reliable? We analysed 29,546 real MOT tests across 5,892 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Sym Jet? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Sym Jet is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include brake lever has inadequate reserve travel, exhaust is leaking and excessively noisey and headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Sym Jet.
Sym Jet Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Sym Jet. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Sym Jet MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Sym Jet to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Sym Jet Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Sym Jet fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Sym Jet Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Sym Jet owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Sym Jet MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Sym Jet year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 127 | 78.7% | 5,108 | 8,336 | 12,937 |
| 2017 | 393 | 79.4% | 5,825 | 11,521 | 19,630 |
| 2016 | 1,080 | 76.8% | 7,497 | 12,592 | 20,311 |
| 2015 | 1,077 | 76.9% | 7,123 | 12,449 | 19,102 |
| 2014 | 1,316 | 78.0% | 7,034 | 11,652 | 17,971 |
| 2013 | 552 | 78.8% | 6,564 | 10,802 | 17,252 |
| 2012 | 525 | 76.4% | 6,491 | 10,514 | 16,541 |
| 2011 | 1,158 | 79.4% | 6,217 | 11,189 | 17,122 |
| 2010 | 1,032 | 79.1% | 7,604 | 13,174 | 20,037 |
| 2009 | 818 | 77.5% | 7,311 | 13,164 | 19,680 |
| 2008 | 1,778 | 78.2% | 7,391 | 12,232 | 18,284 |
| 2007 | 2,163 | 78.7% | 7,653 | 13,003 | 20,008 |
| 2006 | 2,680 | 80.4% | 7,283 | 11,948 | 17,452 |
| 2005 | 2,672 | 77.7% | 8,184 | 13,093 | 18,411 |
| 2004 | 2,571 | 77.9% | 8,513 | 13,522 | 19,743 |
| 2003 | 1,860 | 79.7% | 7,757 | 13,181 | 20,105 |
| 2002 | 1,763 | 76.3% | 8,568 | 14,132 | 21,760 |
| 2001 | 2,102 | 77.7% | 9,015 | 14,224 | 23,145 |
| 2000 | 2,522 | 79.4% | 8,583 | 13,870 | 20,384 |
| 1999 | 1,234 | 76.7% | 8,921 | 15,466 | 22,389 |
How Long Does a Sym Jet Last?
Based on 5,892 Sym Jet vehicles on UK roads.
Sym Jet Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Sym Jet MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Sym Jet
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
80.4% MOT pass rate from 2,680 tests
76.3% MOT pass rate from 1,763 tests
The best year to buy a used Sym Jet is 2006, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 80.4% across 2,680 tests. The 2002 model year has the lowest pass rate at 76.3% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Sym Jet Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sym Jet THIS CAR | 78.3% | 29,546 | 12,938 mi | 27 yrs |
| Sym DD50 | 78.4% | 6,368 | 9,469 mi | 24 yrs |
| Sym Jet 50 - Euro X | 77.9% | 5,537 | 12,781 mi | 23 yrs |
| Sym City Hopper | 77% | 5,520 | 12,447 mi | 27 yrs |
| Harley Davidson XL | 89.1% | 22,811 | 6,150 mi | 13 yrs |
Compared to the Sym DD50 (78.4% pass rate) and the Sym Jet 50 - Euro X (77.9% pass rate), the Sym Jet sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Sym Jet you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Sym JetShould you buy a used Sym Jet?
The Sym Jet has an overall MOT pass rate of 78.3% across 29,546 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common problems on the Sym Jet are brake lever has inadequate reserve travel (464 recorded failures), exhaust is leaking and excessively noisey (441), and headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam (415). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Sym Jet owner drives around 1,355 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Sym Jet models stay on UK roads for around 27 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.