CarVerify

Sym Mask Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

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Is the Sym Mask reliable? We analysed 1,123 real MOT tests across 193 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 1,123 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
80.5%
Typical Mileage
12,049mi
Annual Mileage
1,157mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
26yrs

The Sym Mask is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include exhaust is leaking and excessively noisey, brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick and brake lever has inadequate reserve travel. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Sym Mask.

Sym Mask Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Sym Mask. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Sym Mask MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Sym Mask to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

77.4%
2006
82.2%
2005
80.3%
2004
79.3%
2003
82%
2002
76.7%
2001
85.6%
2000

Sym Mask Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Sym Mask fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Exhaust is leaking and excessively noisey 26
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 23
Brake lever has inadequate reserve travel 21
Roller brake test The less effective brake control does not achieve an efficiency of 25%. 21
shock absorber has inadequate damping effect. 19
Headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam 18
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 15
Steering headbearing has excessive free play 13
Roller brake test indicates a binding brake 10
Throttle operating incorrectly 7

Sym Mask Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Sym Mask owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
441 mi/yr
Typical
1,157 mi/yr
Average
1,805 mi/yr
Heavy usage
2,658 mi/yr

Sym Mask MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Sym Mask year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2006 53 77.4% 6,425 11,671 16,885
2005 135 82.2% 6,504 8,977 15,037
2004 137 80.3% 7,775 11,283 13,898
2003 150 79.3% 6,098 10,079 19,446
2002 250 82.0% 6,888 12,862 20,146
2001 202 76.7% 5,364 12,744 20,147
2000 146 85.6% 9,836 15,354 20,768

How Long Does a Sym Mask Last?

Based on 193 Sym Mask vehicles on UK roads.

Average
9.5 years
Median
9.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
26 years

Sym Mask Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Sym Mask MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
12,049 mi
75th Percentile
18,860 mi
95th Percentile
30,162 mi
Max Recorded
188,996 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Sym Mask

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
2000

85.6% MOT pass rate from 146 tests

Year to avoid
2001

76.7% MOT pass rate from 202 tests

The best year to buy a used Sym Mask is 2000, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 85.6% across 146 tests. The 2001 model year has the lowest pass rate at 76.7% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Sym Mask Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Sym Mask THIS CAR 80.5% 1,123 12,049 mi 26 yrs
Sym Jet 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
Volkswagen Caddy Maxi C20 Life TSI S-a 89.1% 488 16,514 mi — yrs

Compared to the Sym Jet (78.3% pass rate) and the Sym DD50 (78.4% pass rate), the Sym Mask outperforms both on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Sym Mask?

The Sym Mask has an overall MOT pass rate of 80.5% across 1,123 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 Mask are exhaust is leaking and excessively noisey (26 recorded failures), brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (23), and brake lever has inadequate reserve travel (21). 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 Mask owner drives around 1,157 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 Mask models stay on UK roads for around 26 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.

Sym Mask — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Sym Mask reliable?
Based on 1,123 MOT tests, the Sym Mask has a 80.5% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Sym Mask?
The most common MOT failures are exhaust is leaking and excessively noisey, brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick, and brake lever has inadequate reserve travel. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Sym Mask do per year?
The typical Sym Mask does around 1,157 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Sym Mask last?
Most Sym Mask models stay on UK roads for around 26 years based on our analysis of 193 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Sym Mask?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Sym Mask?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Sym Mask is 2000 with a 85.6% pass rate across 146 tests.