2016 Toyota Estima — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 5,476 MOT tests, the 2016 Toyota Estima recorded an 84.3% pass rate. That is effectively the same as MPVs of a similar age (15.5% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.0% of tests against 5.7% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp, headlamp aim and position lamp — headlamp alone was recorded 294 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 23.0% versus 5.4%.
The hybrid cars hold up better: 10.0% fail against 17.4% for petrol, a 7.4-point gap across 5,373 tests.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 23.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 18.3% in 2021 to 15.9% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.0% | 714 |
| 2 | Suspension | 5.7% | 311 |
| 3 | Brakes | 4.0% | 219 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.4% | 185 |
| 5 | Tyres | 3.3% | 181 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.6% | 141 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp | 294 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 250 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 221 |
| 4 | Rear fog lamp | 206 |
| 5 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 201 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 145 |
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 | 23.8% | 1,302 |
| 2 | Tyres | 17.7% | 967 |
| 3 | Brakes | 16.1% | 882 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 11.7% | 643 |
| 5 | Other defects | 8.3% | 457 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 6.5% | 354 |
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 | 221 | 5.4% |
| 30-60k | 1,003 | 5.7% |
| 60-90k | 1,144 | 11.9% |
| 90-120k | 1,240 | 18.3% |
| 120-150k | 891 | 22.3% |
| 150k+ | 970 | 23.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 4,119 | 17.4% |
| Hybrid | 1,254 | 10.0% |
| Gas/LPG | 64 | 15.6% |
| Electric | 30 | 23.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 808 | 18.3% |
| 2022 | 1,145 | 15.8% |
| 2023 | 1,195 | 15.5% |
| 2024 | 1,125 | 13.6% |
| 2025 | 1,203 | 15.9% |
What to check before buying a 2016 Estima
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 13.0% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (13.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (5.7% 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.
- Brakes (4.0% 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.
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 Estimas pass their MOT?
84.3% of the 5,476 2016 Toyota Estima MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 15.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2016 Toyota Estima?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.0% of tests, followed by suspension (5.7%).
Does the 2016 Estima get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.4% in the 0-30k band to 23.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,476 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.