Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2017 Sym Av?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2017 Sym Av?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2017 Sym Av?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

Is the 2017 Sym Av reliable?

Based on MOT data from 160 vehicles, the 2017 Sym Av has a first-time MOT pass rate of 88.8%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2017 Sym Av?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2017 Sym Av are: Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (28.4% of vehicles), Front Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit (18.5% of vehicles), Rear Brake lever is bent but brake can still be readily applied (15.2% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2017 Sym Av?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Sym Av (2017)

160 real MOT outcomes analysed • 88.8% first-time pass rate

2017 Sym Av

CarHunch analysed 160 real MOT records for the 2017 Sym Av. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Compare Models

The 2017 SYM AV passes its MOT on the first attempt 88.8% of the time, comfortably ahead of the UK average of 80%, which suggests this is a fundamentally reliable scooter with solid build quality. That said, 15% of the vehicles analysed have recorded at least one dangerous defect during their MOT history, so pre-purchase inspection of the braking and lighting systems is worth your time.

These scooters are running at just under 9,000 miles on average for their age, which is reasonable usage, and the typical vehicle racks up only 0.49 failures per MOT alongside 2.1 advisories—mostly minor wear items rather than serious mechanical issues. Before buying, get an independent once-over on any example over 10,000 miles, and ask the seller for full MOT history to verify there are no hidden dangerous defects lurking in the background.

We have limited data for the 2017 Sym Av — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

⚠️ Around 1 in 8 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

88.8%

UK average ~80%

Better than average

Dangerous (ever)

15%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.49

Over 3.6 tests on record

Low

Typical mileage

Middle half: 5k–12k

For context

These stats describe 160 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Average reliability — agree?

What tends to go wrong

Across 160 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 28.4%

Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Rear Tyre tread not clearly visible

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Brake wear 18.5%

Front Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit · Rear Brake lever is bent but brake can still be readily applied · Rear Brake lever is short but brake can still be readily applied · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Other issues 13.8%

COVID-19 6 MONTH EXTENSION · Horn not working

Lighting 13.2%

Headlamp aim too low · Headlamp not working on dipped beam

Usually cheap to fix. Worth confirming all lights work before collecting.

Exhaust & emissions 10.3%

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases

Suspension & steering 6.7%

Steering headbearing has slight free play

Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2017.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 160 Sym Av cars.

Before you buy a 2017 Sym Av

Based on MOT data from 160 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 15% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Mileage Distribution

Most 2017 Sym Av vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

8,032

typical

5,128

low mileage

12,233

high mileage

Half of all 2017 Sym Av vehicles fall between 5,128 and 12,233 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 5,128 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 5,128–12,233 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2017 Sym Avs sit.

⚠ Over 16,514 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2017 Sym Av — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 32% of 2017 Sym Avs are still active.

Numbers are declining — 41 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (32% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2020–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

3.6

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.49

Avg failures per vehicle

2.1

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Sym Av: All Av years → Which year to buy? →

2015 2016 2018

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Compare with another model

See how the 2017 Sym Av stacks up against a rival.

Average reliability — agree?