SYM SHARK

124cc Petrol Class 1

#4044 of 5426 overall #29 of 78 SYMs #238 of 412 scooter bikes

77.1%

first-time pass rate

16.1%

failed outright

16,219

median miles at test

3,624

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2005–2021

The SHARK's first-time pass rate has fallen 5.4 points since 2005, 82.9% to 77.5%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the SHARK's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 73.4%

A low-mileage SHARK passes first time 85.0% of the time; by 50k that's 61.1%.

First-time pass rate by odometer reading at test, 10,000-mile bands for this model. Mileage is the strongest reliability signal. See the full curve.

What fails on a SHARK

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	409	30.1	1.8×
brakes	328	24.2	1.4×
tyres and wheels	238	17.5	2.7×
steering and suspension	188	13.8	1.4×
fuel and exhaust	93	6.8	3.1×
reg plates and vin	33	2.4	1.2×
body and structure	24	1.8	1.3×
lamps and reflectors	24	1.8	0.3×
Items Not Tested	11	0.8	2.7×
driving controls	10	0.7	1.2×

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 SHARK beats 0 of its 4 closest rivals (PIAGGIO VESPA, HONDA PCX 125, HONDA Vision 110).

PIAGGIO VESPA 80.7% pass · 287k tests HONDA PCX 125 81.1% pass · 88.6k tests HONDA Vision 110 78.2% pass · 50.6k tests YAMAHA NMAX 125 82.2% pass · 33.8k tests

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 SHARK.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2003 (80.1% pass). Weakest: 2004 (70.8%).

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 SHARK FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the SYM SHARK reliable?

The SYM SHARK is more reliable than average for its class: 77.1% of its 3,624 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 73.4%. That ranks it #4044 of 5426 models.

What does a SHARK fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 30% of all defects recorded against failed SHARK tests.

What is the best year of SHARK to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2003-registered examples do best (80.1%) and 2004 worst (70.8%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a SHARK last?

The median SHARK shows 16,219 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 61.1% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.