CarVerify

Sym Symphony Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Sym Symphony car check

Is the Sym Symphony reliable? We analysed 1,112 real MOT tests across 246 vehicles to find out.

Got a specific Sym Symphony? Enter the reg for a free check:

Free basic check Reports from £4.99 Results in seconds
Data last updated: · Based on 1,112 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
82.3%
Typical Mileage
9,960mi
Annual Mileage
1,003mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
16yrs

The Sym Symphony is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Sym Symphony.

Sym Symphony Number Plates

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

Sym Symphony MOT Pass Rate by Year

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

82.6%
2017
82.1%
2016
83.3%
2015
86.7%
2011
79.6%
2010

Sym Symphony Problems — What Goes Wrong?

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

shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 7

Sym Symphony Common Faults & Problems

These are the most common serious faults found on Sym Symphony models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.

Brake pad(s) less than 1.0 mm thick 33
Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 18

Sym Symphony Mileage — What's Normal?

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

Low usage
343 mi/yr
Typical
1,003 mi/yr
Average
2,153 mi/yr
Heavy usage
2,813 mi/yr

Sym Symphony MOT Data by Registration Year

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

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2017 190 82.6% 5,167 12,360 22,574
2016 318 82.1% 5,833 9,356 15,749
2015 275 83.3% 5,730 10,680 20,091
2011 83 86.7% 5,562 10,314 13,926
2010 103 79.6% 4,278 10,212 14,274

How Long Does a Sym Symphony Last?

Based on 246 Sym Symphony vehicles on UK roads.

Average
6.3 years
Median
6.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
16 years

Sym Symphony Mileage Distribution

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

Median
9,960 mi
75th Percentile
17,388 mi
95th Percentile
37,089 mi
Max Recorded
98,085 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Sym Symphony

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

Best year
2011

86.7% MOT pass rate from 83 tests

Year to avoid
2010

79.6% MOT pass rate from 103 tests

The best year to buy a used Sym Symphony is 2011, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 86.7% across 83 tests. The 2010 model year has the lowest pass rate at 79.6% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Sym Symphony Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Sym Symphony THIS CAR 82.3% 1,112 9,960 mi 16 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
Land Rover Freelander XS TD4 84.5% 1,420 110,648 mi — yrs

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

Found a Sym Symphony 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 Symphony

Should you buy a used Sym Symphony?

The Sym Symphony has an overall MOT pass rate of 82.3% across 1,112 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.

The most common failure point is shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil with 7 recorded occurrences. Check for this on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection.

On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is brake pad(s) less than 1.0 mm thick. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Sym Symphony with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.

A typical Sym Symphony owner drives around 1,003 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 Symphony models stay on UK roads for around 16 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 Symphony — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Sym Symphony reliable?
Based on 1,112 MOT tests, the Sym Symphony has a 82.3% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Sym Symphony?
The most common failure point is shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil.
How many miles does a Sym Symphony do per year?
The typical Sym Symphony does around 1,003 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Sym Symphony last?
Most Sym Symphony models stay on UK roads for around 16 years based on our analysis of 246 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Sym Symphony?
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 Symphony?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Sym Symphony is 2011 with a 86.7% pass rate across 83 tests.