Pass rate over time
The JD's first-time pass rate has held steady since 2017 (66.7% → 65.7%).
What fails on a JD
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| brakes |
|
81 | 29.6 | 2.6× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
56 | 20.4 | 5.0× |
| suspension |
|
35 | 12.8 | 6.2× |
| tyres |
|
29 | 10.6 | 6.7× |
| structure and attachments |
|
28 | 10.2 | 6.4× |
| steering |
|
16 | 5.8 | 6.9× |
| audible warning (Horn) |
|
15 | 5.5 | 15.7× |
| lighting and signalling |
|
6 | 2.2 | 0.2× |
| steering and suspension |
|
4 | 1.5 | 0.2× |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
4 | 1.5 | 0.8× |
Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects. "vs all bikes" is how often this model's tests record a defect in the group, as a multiple of the all-bike rate.
How rivals compare
On first-time pass rate the JD beats 3 of its 4 closest rivals (PEUGEOT SPEEDFIGHT, PIAGGIO ZIP, PIAGGIO NRG).
Rivals share this bike's type and sit within ±30% of its engine capacity, ≥ 5,000 tests. Card colour = better/worse first-time pass rate than the JD.
Pass rate by registration year
Best year to buy used: 2017 (73.1% pass). Weakest: 2014 (69.6%).
First-time pass rate by the year each bike was first registered (cohorts with ≥ 50 tests). Older cohorts are survivors: the worst examples have already left the road, which tends to lift the earliest years.
SYM JD FAQ
Is the SYM JD reliable?
The SYM JD is less reliable than average for its class: 71.1% of its 522 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 73.4%. That ranks it #4650 of 5426 models.
What does a JD fail its MOT on most?
brakes — 30% of all defects recorded against failed JD tests.
What is the best year of JD to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 2017-registered examples do best (73.1%) and 2014 worst (69.6%). Condition and history still trump the year.