Sym Shark (1999)
1999 Sym Shark
CarHunch analysed 124 real MOT records for the 1999 Sym Shark. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1999 SYM Shark has a first-time MOT pass rate of just 44.3%, well below the UK average of 80%, which signals genuine reliability concerns for a vehicle now 25 years old. Dangerous defects are uncommon at 4%, so serious safety issues are rare, but the low pass rate reflects widespread wear across these ageing machines.
At a median mileage of just 20,287 miles, these Sharks have been lightly used, yet they're still failing MOTs at more than double the national rate—suggesting age and storage decay matter more than hard miles here. With an average of 0.68 failures and 1.6 advisories per test, expect to budget for minor repairs before each MOT; if you're seriously considering one, have a pre-purchase inspection done by a mechanic familiar with ageing scooters, as parts availability and specialist knowledge will be your real hurdle.
What to check before buying a 1999 Sym Shark
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Sym Shark
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Mileage Distribution
Most 1999 Sym Shark vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 1999 Sym Shark vehicles fall between 13,564 and 27,849 miles.
1999 Sym Shark — Still on the Road
10 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2017 — 63% of the peak remain.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2017.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1999 Sym Shark
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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26%
Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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24.7%
Rear Roller brake test indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort
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24.2%
Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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19.5%
Rear Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm
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17.7%
Exhaust is leaking but is not excessively noisey
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14.7%
Front Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm
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13.9%
Exhaust slightly deteriorated
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11.7%
Exhaust is leaking and excessively noisey
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1999. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Sym Shark?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.