Know Your MOT
17.1%fail rate

Sym Simply common MOT failures and failure rate

What a Sym Simply fails its MOT on, from real DVSA test data, and the part that resolves each item.

Based on 467 MOT tests in DVSA data.

About 17.1% of MOT tests recorded on the Sym Simply in DVSA data end in a failure. The same handful of items account for most of them.

Its most common failure is brakes, which makes up 22.5% of the Sym Simply's failures, followed by brakes, lamps & electrical, tyres, exhaust & emissions. Each item below links to the part that resolves it. Confirm the exact fitment against your registration or VIN before buying, and have safety-critical work done by a competent mechanic.

What it fails on, and why

Brakes22.5% of failures

Brake failures cover worn pads and discs, an imbalance between wheels, corroded or scored discs, or a binding caliper. Braking efficiency is measured on a rolling road, so a spongy or pulling brake shows up as a low reading.

Lamps & electrical16.2% of failures

Lighting is the single most common MOT failure and the cheapest to put right. A blown headlight, brake-light or number-plate bulb, a cracked lens, or a headlamp beam that points too high or low will all fail. Most are a two-minute bulb swap.

Tyres16.2% of failures

Tyres fail for tread below the 1.6mm legal limit across the central three-quarters, uneven or exposed-cord wear, or sidewall damage. The tester inspects all four; a single illegal tyre is a fail.

Exhaust & emissions13.8% of failures

Exhaust failures cover leaks, insecure mountings and emissions over the limit. A blowing exhaust, a failed lambda reading or a diesel that smokes beyond the limit will fail.

Other10.0% of failures

This covers a range of smaller items, from a non-working horn to a warning light left on.

Steering10.0% of failures

Steering faults are typically worn track-rod ends or ball joints, play in the rack, or a split gaiter letting grease out and dirt in. Excessive free play at the wheel fails.

The parts that fix each

If your car has just failed, you have 10 working days to fix the items and get a free partial retest. These are the usual parts; confirm the exact fitment against your registration or VIN before buying.

For the brakes failure: Sym Simply brake pads and discsSearch Amazon for Sym Simply brake pads and discsaffiliate searchFind Sym Simply brake pads and discs on eBayaffiliate
For the lamps & electrical failure: Sym Simply headlight and indicator bulbsSearch Amazon for Sym Simply headlight and indicator bulbsaffiliate searchFind Sym Simply headlight and indicator bulbs on eBayaffiliate
For the tyres failure: Sym Simply tyresSearch Amazon for Sym Simply tyresaffiliate searchFind Sym Simply tyres on eBayaffiliate
For the exhaust & emissions failure: Sym Simply exhaustSearch Amazon for Sym Simply exhaustaffiliate searchFind Sym Simply exhaust on eBayaffiliate
For the steering failure: Sym Simply steering track rod endsSearch Amazon for Sym Simply steering track rod endsaffiliate searchFind Sym Simply steering track rod ends on eBayaffiliate

Other models

Sym Jet MOT failures21.6% failure rateSym Symply MOT failures20.1% failure rateSym Fiddle MOT failures19.2% failure rateFord Fiesta MOT failures27.1% failure rate

Sources: DVSA MOT History API: MOT test results and defect data ยท DVSA MOT testing data for Great Britain