Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2018 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 2018 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 2018 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 2018 Sym Av reliable?

Based on MOT data from 138 vehicles, the 2018 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 2018 Sym Av?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2018 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 2018 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 (2018)

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

2018 Sym Av

CarHunch analysed 138 real MOT records for the 2018 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 2018 SYM AV passes its MOT first time in 88.8% of cases, well above the UK average of 80%, suggesting this is a reliably built scooter. However, 18.1% of vehicles have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, which is worth noting if safety is your priority.

These machines are running low mileage for their age—averaging just 9,469 miles—so you're looking at lightly used examples that encounter relatively few problems (0.43 failures per vehicle). Before you buy, get a pre-purchase inspection focused on the one or two advisory items these typically rack up, as the low mileage means you won't have much wear history to guide you.

We have limited data for the 2018 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)

18.1%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.43

Over 3.2 tests on record

Low

Typical mileage

Middle half: 5k–12k

For context

These stats describe 138 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 138 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 2018.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 138 Sym Av cars.

Before you buy a 2018 Sym Av

Based on MOT data from 138 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 18.1% 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 2018 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.

8,068

typical

4,808

low mileage

11,737

high mileage

Half of all 2018 Sym Av vehicles fall between 4,808 and 11,737 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 4,808 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.

✓ 4,808–11,737 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2018 Sym Avs sit.

⚠ Over 15,844 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2018 Sym Av — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 38% of 2018 Sym Avs are still active.

Numbers are declining — 42 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (38% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2021–2025.

MOT History Averages

3.2

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.43

Avg failures per vehicle

1.6

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

2015 2016 2017

Or browse all models: Sym →

Compare with another model

See how the 2018 Sym Av stacks up against a rival.

Average reliability — agree?