2016 Microcar M — MOT failures & pass rate
464 MOT tests on the 2016 Microcar M are in this dataset, and 85.3% of them passed. That is effectively the same as all cars of a similar age (14.3% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in brakes, lighting & signalling and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: brakes, recorded in 8.0% of tests against 5.0% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are service brake performance, shock absorbers and headlamp aim — service brake performance alone was recorded 24 times.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 14.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 15.5% in 2021 to 13.3% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 8.0% | 37 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 5.0% | 23 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.5% | 21 |
| 4 | Suspension | 3.7% | 17 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.2% | 10 |
| 6 | Steering | 1.9% | 9 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Service brake performance | 24 |
| 2 | Shock absorbers | 16 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 14 |
| 4 | Exhaust system | 10 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 10 |
| 6 | Catalyst emissions | 8 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 14.9% | 69 |
| 2 | Brakes | 14.0% | 65 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.8% | 41 |
| 4 | Tyres | 8.2% | 38 |
| 5 | Other defects | 5.6% | 26 |
| 6 | Steering | 3.0% | 14 |
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 | 410 | 13.9% |
| 30-60k | 50 | 20.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 103 | 15.5% |
| 2022 | 97 | 15.5% |
| 2023 | 92 | 15.2% |
| 2024 | 89 | 13.5% |
| 2025 | 83 | 13.3% |
What to check before buying a 2016 M
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: brakes accounted for 8.0% of tests. Start there.
- Brakes (8.0% 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 (5.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (4.5% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
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 Microcar Ms pass their MOT?
85.3% of the 464 2016 Microcar M MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 14.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2016 Microcar M?
Brakes, recorded in 8.0% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (5.0%).
Does the 2016 M get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.9% in the 0-30k band to 20.0% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 464 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.