Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2016 Sym Az?

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 2016 Sym Az?

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 2016 Sym Az?

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.

How many 2016 Sym Az vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

31% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2016 Sym Az reliable?

Based on MOT data from 129 vehicles, the 2016 Sym Az has a first-time MOT pass rate of 81%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2016 Sym Az?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2016 Sym Az are: Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (28.2% of vehicles), Rear Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit (23.1% of vehicles), Rear Brake lever is short but brake can still be readily applied (22.2% 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 2016 Sym Az?

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 Az (2016)

129 real MOT outcomes analysed • 81% first-time pass rate

2016 Sym Az

CarHunch analysed 129 real MOT records for the 2016 Sym Az. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

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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 2016 SYM AZ posts an 81% first-time pass rate, marginally above the UK average, but the headline concern is that 31% of these vehicles have recorded a dangerous defect at some point—well above the typical threshold. This suggests reliability issues that go beyond cosmetic wear, so buyers should insist on a full service history and independent pre-purchase inspection.

These bikes are running low mileage for their age (median 14,305 miles), which is encouraging, but the average of 0.93 failures and 3.1 advisories per vehicle indicates routine wear rather than exceptional durability. Before committing, confirm the maintenance schedule has been followed closely—proper servicing is your best defence against the defects this cohort has shown.

We have limited data for the 2016 Sym Az — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 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

81%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

31%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.93

Over 4.3 tests on record

Moderate

Typical mileage

14k

Middle half: 8k–20k

For context

These stats describe 129 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.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

What tends to go wrong

Across 129 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 28.2%

Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Rear Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm

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

Brake wear 23.1%

Rear Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit · Rear Brake lever is short but brake can still be readily applied · Rear Brake disc worn, but not excessively · …

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

Lighting 20.5%

Headlamp aim too low · Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps

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

Exhaust & emissions 13.7%

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases

Suspension & steering 11.1%

Steering headbearing slightly stiff or notchy

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 2016.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 129 Sym Az cars.

Before you buy a 2016 Sym Az

Based on MOT data from 129 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 31% 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 2016 Sym Az 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.

14,305

typical

7,645

low mileage

19,580

high mileage

Half of all 2016 Sym Az vehicles fall between 7,645 and 19,580 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 7,645 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.

✓ 7,645–19,580 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2016 Sym Azs sit.

⚠ Over 26,433 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2016 Sym Az — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 33% of 2016 Sym Azs are still active.

Numbers are declining — 30 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (33% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2019–2025.
* 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

4.3

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.93

Avg failures per vehicle

3.1

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

2014

Or browse all models: Sym →

Compare with another model

See how the 2016 Sym Az stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing