2016 Nissan Leaf — MOT failures & pass rate
23,791 MOT tests on the 2016 Nissan Leaf are in this dataset, and 83.1% of them passed. Against small family cars of a similar age (13.8% fail rate), the 2016 Leaf comes out 3.1pp worse. Failures cluster in suspension, tyres and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (7.2%) and tyres (6.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are ball joint, wipers and tread depth — ball joint alone was recorded 1,473 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 8.4% in the 0-30k band and 24.8% in the 150k+ band, a 16.4-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 27.7% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 11.1% of tests failed in 2021 against 23.2% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 7.2% | 1,722 |
| 2 | Tyres | 6.3% | 1,503 |
| 3 | Brakes | 4.5% | 1,075 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.3% | 1,012 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 3.8% | 898 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.5% | 116 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ball joint | 1,473 |
| 2 | Wipers | 844 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 790 |
| 4 | Washers | 436 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 388 |
| 6 | Brake discs | 333 |
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 | 27.7% | 6,583 |
| 2 | Brakes | 24.6% | 5,850 |
| 3 | Suspension | 16.0% | 3,810 |
| 4 | Other defects | 7.0% | 1,663 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.7% | 876 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 1.4% | 332 |
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 | 4,270 | 8.4% |
| 30-60k | 11,494 | 15.6% |
| 60-90k | 5,973 | 22.4% |
| 90-120k | 1,604 | 25.0% |
| 120-150k | 347 | 29.1% |
| 150k+ | 101 | 24.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,551 | 11.1% |
| 2022 | 4,624 | 12.8% |
| 2023 | 4,771 | 16.7% |
| 2024 | 4,910 | 19.9% |
| 2025 | 4,935 | 23.2% |
What to check before buying a 2016 Leaf
On a 2016 Leaf, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 7.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (7.2% 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 (6.3% 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 (4.5% 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 Nissan Leafs pass their MOT?
83.1% of the 23,791 2016 Nissan Leaf MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 16.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2016 Nissan Leaf?
Suspension, recorded in 7.2% of tests, followed by tyres (6.3%).
Does the 2016 Leaf get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.4% in the 0-30k band to 24.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 23,791 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.