Sym Red Devil Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Sym Red Devil car check
Is the Sym Red Devil reliable? We analysed 1,485 real MOT tests across 311 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Sym Red Devil? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Sym Red Devil is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include roller brake test indicates a binding brake, exhaust is leaking and excessively noisey and tyre tread not clearly visible. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Sym Red Devil.
Sym Red Devil Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Sym Red Devil. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Sym Red Devil MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Sym Red Devil to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Sym Red Devil Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Sym Red Devil fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Sym Red Devil Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Sym Red Devil owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Sym Red Devil MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Sym Red Devil year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 55 | 61.8% | 16,607 | 21,766 | 24,405 |
| 2000 | 851 | 77.3% | 8,324 | 13,988 | 19,706 |
| 1999 | 505 | 77.6% | 9,059 | 14,058 | 19,450 |
How Long Does a Sym Red Devil Last?
Based on 311 Sym Red Devil vehicles on UK roads.
Sym Red Devil Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Sym Red Devil 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 Red Devil
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
77.6% MOT pass rate from 505 tests
61.8% MOT pass rate from 55 tests
The best year to buy a used Sym Red Devil is 1999, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 77.6% across 505 tests. The 2001 model year has the lowest pass rate at 61.8% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Sym Red Devil Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sym Red Devil THIS CAR | 76.8% | 1,485 | 14,222 mi | 27 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 |
| Vauxhall Crossland X Elite Turbo D | 87.9% | 951 | 35,357 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Sym Jet (78.3% pass rate) and the Sym DD50 (78.4% pass rate), the Sym Red Devil trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Sym Red Devil 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 Red DevilShould you buy a used Sym Red Devil?
The Sym Red Devil has an overall MOT pass rate of 76.8% across 1,485 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 Red Devil are roller brake test indicates a binding brake (34 recorded failures), exhaust is leaking and excessively noisey (31), and tyre tread not clearly visible (30). 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 Red Devil owner drives around 951 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 Red Devil 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.