2016 Mercedes-Benz G-Class — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2016 Mercedes-Benz G-Class passed 88.0% of its 976 recorded MOT tests. Large SUVs of a similar age fail at 12.5%, so the 2016 G-Class sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (5.9%) and suspension (3.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, headlamp aim and registration plates — coil spring alone was recorded 40 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 8.9% in the 0-30k band and 20.4% in the 90-120k band, a 11.5-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 14.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 9.2% of tests failed in 2021 against 12.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 5.9% | 58 |
| 2 | Suspension | 3.4% | 33 |
| 3 | Tyres | 2.7% | 26 |
| 4 | Brakes | 2.6% | 25 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.7% | 17 |
| 6 | Other defects | 1.1% | 11 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coil spring | 40 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 39 |
| 3 | Registration plates | 18 |
| 4 | Wipers | 14 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 13 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 13 |
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 | 14.4% | 141 |
| 2 | Tyres | 13.8% | 135 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 5.1% | 50 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.9% | 48 |
| 5 | Steering | 4.0% | 39 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 3.5% | 34 |
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 | 247 | 8.9% |
| 30-60k | 483 | 12.2% |
| 60-90k | 194 | 13.4% |
| 90-120k | 44 | 20.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 557 | 10.9% |
| Diesel | 419 | 13.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 184 | 9.2% |
| 2022 | 209 | 14.8% |
| 2023 | 195 | 11.8% |
| 2024 | 187 | 11.2% |
| 2025 | 201 | 12.4% |
What to check before buying a 2016 G-Class
On a 2016 G-Class, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 5.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (5.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (3.4% 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.
- Tyres (2.7% 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.
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 G-Classs pass their MOT?
88.0% of the 976 2016 Mercedes-Benz G-Class MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 12.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2016 Mercedes-Benz G-Class?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 5.9% of tests, followed by suspension (3.4%).
Does the 2016 G-Class get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.9% in the 0-30k band to 20.4% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 976 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.