SYM XS

124cc Petrol Class 1

#4923 of 5426 overall #75 of 78 SYMs #343 of 412 scooter bikes

66.7%

first-time pass rate

21.9%

failed outright

7,764

median miles at test

748

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The XS's first-time pass rate has risen 8.8 points since 2017, 63.0% to 71.8%.

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage XS passes first time 68.3% of the time; by 20k that's 55.6%.

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 XS

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
structure and attachments	108	21.3	11.3×
lamps and reflectors	104	20.5	5.1×
brakes	69	13.6	1.5×
lighting and signalling	65	12.8	1.2×
suspension	50	9.9	7.4×
steering and suspension	43	8.5	1.5×
drive system	30	5.9	4.3×
steering	21	4.1	6.4×
body and structure	9	1.8	1.9×
tyres	8	1.6	1.6×

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 XS 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 XS.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2016 (70.8% pass). Weakest: 2011 (64.1%).

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 XS FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the SYM XS reliable?

The SYM XS is less reliable than average for its class: 66.7% of its 748 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 73.4%. That ranks it #4923 of 5426 models.

What does a XS fail its MOT on most?

structure and attachments — 21% of all defects recorded against failed XS tests.

What is the best year of XS to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2016-registered examples do best (70.8%) and 2014 worst (64.1%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a XS last?

The median XS shows 7,764 miles at test, and examples around 20k miles still pass 55.6% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.