2016 Skoda Rapid — MOT failures & pass rate
24,635 MOT tests on the 2016 Skoda Rapid are in this dataset, and 83.8% of them passed. Against small family cars of a similar age (13.7% fail rate), the 2016 Rapid comes out 2.5pp worse. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (6.4%) and suspension (6.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are pins and bushes, headlamp aim and tread depth — pins and bushes alone was recorded 1,268 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 19.6% versus 9.9%.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 2.7pp more often than petrol ones (17.8% vs 15.1%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 26.6% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 12.8% of tests failed in 2021 against 18.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.4% | 1,575 |
| 2 | Suspension | 6.3% | 1,563 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 4.3% | 1,048 |
| 4 | Brakes | 3.9% | 955 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.9% | 724 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.7% | 407 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pins and bushes | 1,268 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 626 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 612 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 489 |
| 5 | Brake discs | 467 |
| 6 | Wipers | 459 |
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 | 26.6% | 6,558 |
| 2 | Brakes | 22.1% | 5,436 |
| 3 | Suspension | 22.0% | 5,417 |
| 4 | Other defects | 8.5% | 2,081 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.9% | 706 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.4% | 583 |
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 | 2,520 | 9.9% |
| 30-60k | 9,663 | 14.4% |
| 60-90k | 7,037 | 18.5% |
| 90-120k | 2,760 | 19.2% |
| 120-150k | 1,272 | 19.8% |
| 150k+ | 1,381 | 19.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 14,706 | 15.1% |
| Diesel | 9,925 | 17.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,883 | 12.8% |
| 2022 | 4,931 | 14.0% |
| 2023 | 5,014 | 17.2% |
| 2024 | 4,996 | 18.5% |
| 2025 | 4,811 | 18.5% |
What to check before buying a 2016 Rapid
On a 2016 Rapid, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (6.4% 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.
- Suspension (6.3% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (4.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 Skoda Rapids pass their MOT?
83.8% of the 24,635 2016 Skoda Rapid MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 16.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2016 Skoda Rapid?
Tyres, recorded in 6.4% of tests, followed by suspension (6.3%).
Does the 2016 Rapid get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.9% in the 0-30k band to 19.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 24,635 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.