BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ SYM/JD
Model report · 2005–2025

SYM JD

49cc Petrol Class 1
#4652 of 5428 overall #69 of 78 SYMs #218 of 456 moped bikes
71.1%
first-time pass rate
21.1%
failed outright
5,413
median miles at test
522
MOT tests, 2005–2025
-3.6pp
vs expected · age & mileage

The pass rate is the MOT first-time pass: a roadworthiness check of the items an MOT covers (brakes, lights, tyres, steering, structure, emissions), not a full mechanical inspection of engine or gearbox internals. It is a reliability signal, not a complete measure of mechanical reliability. What this measures.

“vs expected” adjusts for age, mileage and test class, so a cherished classic and a hard-used commuter are compared fairly. How this works.

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2017–2025

The JD's first-time pass rate has held steady since 2017 (66.7% → 65.7%).

62%70%78%2017: 66.7% pass (30 tests)2018: 70.0% pass (30 tests)2019: 64.7% pass (51 tests)2020: 72.7% pass (77 tests)2021: 75.0% pass (108 tests)2022: 75.0% pass (88 tests)2023: 66.2% pass (65 tests)2024: 73.7% pass (38 tests)2025: 65.7% pass (35 tests)20172025

What fails on a JD

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded
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

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the JD beats 3 of its 4 closest rivals (PEUGEOT SPEEDFIGHT, PIAGGIO ZIP, PIAGGIO NRG).

PEUGEOT SPEEDFIGHT 65.2% pass · 83.7k tests Compare head-to-head →
PIAGGIO ZIP 71.3% pass · 79.0k tests Compare head-to-head →
PIAGGIO NRG 65.5% pass · 40.5k tests Compare head-to-head →
PEUGEOT VIVACITY 70.4% pass · 29.7k tests Compare head-to-head →

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.

Compare with any bike

rival not listed above? pick any model to see it head-to-head with the JD

More SYM models

other SYM bikes ranked by MOT pass rate
SYM JET 73.4% pass · 23.2k tests
SYM DD50 73.3% pass · 5,940 tests
SYM CITY HOPPER 71.4% pass · 4,446 tests
SYM JET 50 - EURO X 72.3% pass · 4,412 tests
SYM FIDDLE 76.6% pass · 3,826 tests
SYM SHARK 77.1% pass · 3,624 tests

See all SYM models →

Pass rate by registration year

how each model-year cohort fares · registration year from first use date

Best year to buy used: 2017 (73.1% pass). Weakest: 2014 (69.6%).

69%71%74%2014: 69.6% pass (69 tests)2016: 70.3% pass (155 tests)2017: 73.1% pass (108 tests)2018: 71.7% pass (99 tests)201420172018

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

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

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 #4652 of 5428 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.

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