Sym Shark Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Sym Shark car check
Is the Sym Shark reliable? We analysed 4,396 real MOT tests across 730 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Sym Shark? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Sym Shark is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies and exhaust is leaking and excessively noisey. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Sym Shark.
Sym Shark Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Sym Shark. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Sym Shark MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Sym Shark to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Sym Shark Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Sym Shark fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Sym Shark Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Sym Shark owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Sym Shark MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Sym Shark year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 142 | 78.9% | 5,739 | 10,965 | 19,519 |
| 2004 | 416 | 76.4% | 8,632 | 15,722 | 24,011 |
| 2003 | 558 | 83.0% | 8,488 | 15,346 | 23,711 |
| 2002 | 859 | 81.5% | 8,080 | 15,022 | 25,807 |
| 2001 | 760 | 81.6% | 9,783 | 16,199 | 25,108 |
| 2000 | 1,220 | 81.1% | 11,628 | 19,090 | 28,548 |
| 1999 | 417 | 79.9% | 13,473 | 19,731 | 30,804 |
How Long Does a Sym Shark Last?
Based on 730 Sym Shark vehicles on UK roads.
Sym Shark Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Sym Shark 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 Shark
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
83.0% MOT pass rate from 558 tests
76.4% MOT pass rate from 416 tests
The best year to buy a used Sym Shark is 2003, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 83.0% across 558 tests. The 2004 model year has the lowest pass rate at 76.4% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Sym Shark Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sym Shark THIS CAR | 80.8% | 4,396 | 16,833 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 |
| Seat Ibiza Cls | 61.9% | 2,784 | 90,379 mi | 31 yrs |
Compared to the Sym Jet (78.3% pass rate) and the Sym DD50 (78.4% pass rate), the Sym Shark outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Sym Shark 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 SharkShould you buy a used Sym Shark?
The Sym Shark has an overall MOT pass rate of 80.8% across 4,396 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 Shark are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (162 recorded failures), stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (82), and exhaust is leaking and excessively noisey (62). 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 Shark owner drives around 1,554 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 Shark 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.