2016 Vauxhall Corsavan — MOT failures & pass rate
380 MOT tests on the 2016 Vauxhall Corsavan are in this dataset, and 86.1% of them passed. Against vans of a similar age (19.6% fail rate), the 2016 Corsavan comes out 5.6pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, tyres and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (8.9%) 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 headlamp aim, headlamp and track rod end — headlamp aim alone was recorded 17 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 5.2% in the 30-60k band and 32.3% in the 150k+ band, a 27.0-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 22.9% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 14.8% of tests failed in 2021 against 18.2% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 8.9% | 34 |
| 2 | Tyres | 6.3% | 24 |
| 3 | Brakes | 4.0% | 15 |
| 4 | Suspension | 3.2% | 12 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.9% | 11 |
| 6 | Steering | 2.4% | 9 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 17 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 14 |
| 3 | Track rod end | 11 |
| 4 | Tyre pressure monitoring system | 10 |
| 5 | Washers | 8 |
| 6 | Shock absorbers | 8 |
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 | 22.9% | 87 |
| 2 | Brakes | 14.7% | 56 |
| 3 | Suspension | 10.5% | 40 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 8.2% | 31 |
| 5 | Steering | 6.6% | 25 |
| 6 | Other defects | 6.3% | 24 |
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 | 115 | 5.2% |
| 60-90k | 123 | 15.4% |
| 90-120k | 64 | 21.9% |
| 150k+ | 31 | 32.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 81 | 14.8% |
| 2022 | 64 | 4.7% |
| 2023 | 76 | 13.2% |
| 2024 | 82 | 17.1% |
| 2025 | 77 | 18.2% |
What to check before buying a 2016 Corsavan
On a 2016 Corsavan, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 8.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (8.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- 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 (4.0% 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 Vauxhall Corsavans pass their MOT?
86.1% of the 380 2016 Vauxhall Corsavan MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 14.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2016 Vauxhall Corsavan?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 8.9% of tests, followed by tyres (6.3%).
Does the 2016 Corsavan get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.2% in the 30-60k band to 32.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 380 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.