2016 Toyota Hi=Ace — MOT failures & pass rate
257 MOT tests on the 2016 Toyota Hi=Ace are in this dataset, and 79.8% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (14.2% fail rate), the 2016 Hi=Ace comes out 6.0pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.4% of tests against 6.2% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are rear fog lamp, wipers and shock absorbers — rear fog lamp alone was recorded 19 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 11.4% in the 30-60k band and 23.7% in the 150k+ band, a 12.3-point spread — more than double.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 33.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.4% | 32 |
| 2 | Suspension | 6.2% | 16 |
| 3 | Brakes | 5.5% | 14 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.5% | 14 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.7% | 12 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 1.9% | 5 |
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 | 19 |
| 2 | Wipers | 14 |
| 3 | Shock absorbers | 10 |
| 4 | Joints | 10 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 8 |
| 6 | Brake discs | 6 |
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 | 33.1% | 85 |
| 2 | Tyres | 20.2% | 52 |
| 3 | Brakes | 18.7% | 48 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 13.2% | 34 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.9% | 23 |
| 6 | Steering | 3.5% | 9 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 35 | 11.4% |
| 60-90k | 44 | 13.6% |
| 90-120k | 73 | 24.7% |
| 120-150k | 65 | 21.5% |
| 150k+ | 38 | 23.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 130 | 18.5% |
| Diesel | 127 | 22.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 59 | 23.7% |
| 2022 | 56 | 19.6% |
| 2023 | 57 | 17.5% |
| 2024 | 41 | 14.6% |
| 2025 | 44 | 25.0% |
What to check before buying a 2016 Hi=Ace
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 12.4% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (12.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (6.2% 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.
- Brakes (5.5% 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 Toyota Hi=Aces pass their MOT?
79.8% of the 257 2016 Toyota Hi=Ace MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 20.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2016 Toyota Hi=Ace?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.4% of tests, followed by suspension (6.2%).
Does the 2016 Hi=Ace get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.4% in the 30-60k band to 23.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 257 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.