2016 MG GS — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 3,269 MOT tests, the 2016 MG GS recorded an 85.0% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail at 14.6%, so the 2016 GS sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, tyres and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 9.6% of all tests — 3.9 points clear of tyres, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, tread depth and brake pads — headlamp aim alone was recorded 294 times.
A 90-120k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 21.3% versus 8.3%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 24.8% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 12.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 19.6% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 9.6% | 314 |
| 2 | Tyres | 5.7% | 187 |
| 3 | Brakes | 5.4% | 176 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 2.5% | 83 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.8% | 59 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.5% | 48 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 294 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 100 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 80 |
| 4 | Anti-lock braking system | 66 |
| 5 | Tyre pressure monitoring system | 62 |
| 6 | Catalyst emissions | 49 |
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 | 24.8% | 809 |
| 2 | Brakes | 21.2% | 692 |
| 3 | Other defects | 8.7% | 285 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 5.0% | 163 |
| 5 | Suspension | 3.9% | 127 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.1% | 102 |
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 | 642 | 8.3% |
| 30-60k | 1,654 | 14.2% |
| 60-90k | 798 | 20.5% |
| 90-120k | 155 | 21.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 641 | 12.6% |
| 2022 | 644 | 12.7% |
| 2023 | 652 | 13.5% |
| 2024 | 669 | 16.4% |
| 2025 | 663 | 19.6% |
What to check before buying a 2016 GS
On a 2016 GS, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 9.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- 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.
- Tyres (5.7% 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.
- Brakes (5.4% 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 MG GSs pass their MOT?
85.0% of the 3,269 2016 MG GS MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 15.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2016 MG GS?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 9.6% of tests, followed by tyres (5.7%).
Does the 2016 GS get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.3% in the 0-30k band to 21.3% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,269 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.