2016 Toyota Aqua — MOT failures & pass rate
283 MOT tests on the 2016 Toyota Aqua are in this dataset, and 95.8% of them passed. That is 11.2 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 15.4%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, tyres and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (5.0%) and tyres (2.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are rear fog lamp, registration plate lamp(s) and headlamp aim — rear fog lamp alone was recorded 5 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2016 Aqua fails 6.5% of the time in the 0-30k band and 4.8% at 60-90k, a spread of only 1.6 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 14.5% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 0.0% of tests failed in 2022 against 3.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 5.0% | 14 |
| 2 | Tyres | 2.8% | 8 |
| 3 | Visibility | 2.1% | 6 |
| 4 | Suspension | 1.8% | 5 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.4% | 1 |
| 6 | Brakes | 0.4% | 1 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rear fog lamp | 5 |
| 2 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 5 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 4 |
| 4 | Washers | 4 |
| 5 | Wipers | 3 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 3 |
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 | 14.5% | 41 |
| 2 | Suspension | 5.0% | 14 |
| 3 | Visibility | 2.5% | 7 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 2.5% | 7 |
| 5 | Brakes | 1.8% | 5 |
| 6 | Other defects | 1.4% | 4 |
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 | 31 | 6.5% |
| 30-60k | 148 | 3.4% |
| 60-90k | 83 | 4.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 49 | 0.0% |
| 2023 | 58 | 8.6% |
| 2024 | 70 | 5.7% |
| 2025 | 81 | 3.7% |
What to check before buying a 2016 Aqua
On a 2016 Aqua, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 5.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- 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.
- Tyres (2.8% 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.
- Visibility (2.1% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£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 Toyota Aquas pass their MOT?
95.8% of the 283 2016 Toyota Aqua MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 4.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2016 Toyota Aqua?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 5.0% of tests, followed by tyres (2.8%).
Does the 2016 Aqua get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.5% in the 0-30k band to 4.8% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 283 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.