2016 Mercedes-Benz 220 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 425 MOT tests, the 2016 Mercedes-Benz 220 recorded an 88.0% pass rate. Against all cars of a similar age (14.4% fail rate), the 2016 220 comes out 2.4pp better. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Tyres dominates the failure mix at 6.8% of all tests — 4.0 points clear of visibility, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, washers and malfunction indicator lamp — tread depth alone was recorded 21 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 2.8% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 15.6% once past 90-120k — 5.6× the risk.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 24.7% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 4.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 12.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.8% | 29 |
| 2 | Visibility | 2.8% | 12 |
| 3 | Brakes | 2.6% | 11 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 1.9% | 8 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 1.9% | 8 |
| 6 | Suspension | 1.4% | 6 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 21 |
| 2 | Washers | 9 |
| 3 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 8 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 6 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 6 |
| 6 | Tyre pressure monitoring system | 5 |
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 | 24.7% | 105 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.9% | 55 |
| 3 | Suspension | 8.2% | 35 |
| 4 | Other defects | 7.5% | 32 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.7% | 7 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.9% | 4 |
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 | 36 | 2.8% |
| 30-60k | 136 | 11.0% |
| 60-90k | 123 | 14.6% |
| 90-120k | 77 | 15.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 85 | 4.7% |
| 2022 | 92 | 15.2% |
| 2023 | 91 | 16.5% |
| 2024 | 74 | 10.8% |
| 2025 | 83 | 12.0% |
What to check before buying a 2016 220
On a 2016 220, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (6.8% 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.
- Visibility (2.8% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Brakes (2.6% 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.
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 Mercedes-Benz 220s pass their MOT?
88.0% of the 425 2016 Mercedes-Benz 220 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 12.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2016 Mercedes-Benz 220?
Tyres, recorded in 6.8% of tests, followed by visibility (2.8%).
Does the 2016 220 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 2.8% in the 0-30k band to 15.6% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 425 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.