2016 Hyundai i40 — MOT failures & pass rate
20,634 MOT tests on the 2016 Hyundai i40 are in this dataset, and 85.9% of them passed. Against large family cars of a similar age (15.3% fail rate), the 2016 i40 comes out 1.1pp better. Failures cluster in tyres, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (6.2%) and brakes (4.9%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are brake pads, tread depth and headlamp — brake pads alone was recorded 730 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 8.6% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 18.8% once past 150k — 2.2× the risk.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 25.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 13.0% of tests failed in 2021 against 15.3% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.2% | 1,278 |
| 2 | Brakes | 4.9% | 1,002 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 4.6% | 946 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.6% | 530 |
| 5 | Suspension | 2.4% | 499 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.2% | 249 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brake pads | 730 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 602 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 471 |
| 4 | Wipers | 425 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 394 |
| 6 | Tyre pressure monitoring system | 302 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 25.7% | 5,304 |
| 2 | Brakes | 22.5% | 4,641 |
| 3 | Other defects | 8.6% | 1,776 |
| 4 | Suspension | 4.3% | 897 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.4% | 693 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.3% | 681 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 884 | 8.6% |
| 30-60k | 5,778 | 12.1% |
| 60-90k | 7,012 | 13.9% |
| 90-120k | 3,755 | 15.8% |
| 120-150k | 1,748 | 17.0% |
| 150k+ | 1,456 | 18.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,232 | 13.0% |
| 2022 | 4,197 | 12.6% |
| 2023 | 4,201 | 14.5% |
| 2024 | 4,096 | 15.3% |
| 2025 | 3,908 | 15.3% |
What to check before buying a 2016 i40
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 6.2% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (6.2% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Brakes (4.9% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Lighting & signalling (4.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 Hyundai i40s pass their MOT?
85.9% of the 20,634 2016 Hyundai i40 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 14.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2016 Hyundai i40?
Tyres, recorded in 6.2% of tests, followed by brakes (4.9%).
Does the 2016 i40 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.6% in the 0-30k band to 18.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 20,634 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.