2016 Fiat Talento — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 695 MOT tests, the 2016 Fiat Talento recorded a 77.1% pass rate. Against all cars of a similar age (14.4% fail rate), the 2016 Talento comes out 8.4pp worse. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and steering.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: suspension, recorded in 13.8% of tests against 9.6% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are track rod end, coil spring and linkage ball joints — track rod end alone was recorded 54 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 22.9% versus 17.5%.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 21.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 13.8% | 96 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 9.6% | 67 |
| 3 | Steering | 6.6% | 46 |
| 4 | Brakes | 5.2% | 36 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.0% | 28 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.9% | 27 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Track rod end | 54 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 36 |
| 3 | Linkage ball joints | 36 |
| 4 | Shock absorbers | 35 |
| 5 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 27 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 24 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 21.0% | 146 |
| 2 | Suspension | 18.3% | 127 |
| 3 | Tyres | 17.1% | 119 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 14.8% | 103 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.0% | 49 |
| 6 | Other defects | 6.3% | 44 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 120 | 17.5% |
| 60-90k | 189 | 25.9% |
| 90-120k | 213 | 25.4% |
| 120-150k | 100 | 21.0% |
| 150k+ | 48 | 22.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 149 | 22.1% |
| 2022 | 136 | 19.9% |
| 2023 | 137 | 24.1% |
| 2024 | 143 | 25.9% |
| 2025 | 130 | 22.3% |
What to check before buying a 2016 Talento
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 13.8% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (13.8% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Lighting & signalling (9.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Steering (6.6% of tests): Play, leaks or worn track rod ends — affects handling and is a safety item. Typical repair: £150–£500.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2016 Fiat Talentos pass their MOT?
77.1% of the 695 2016 Fiat Talento MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2016 Fiat Talento?
Suspension, recorded in 13.8% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (9.6%).
Does the 2016 Talento get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.5% in the 30-60k band to 22.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 695 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.