2016 Vauxhall Movano — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 3,653 MOT tests, the 2016 Vauxhall Movano recorded a 79.8% pass rate. That is effectively the same as vans of a similar age (19.6% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.1% of tests against 9.8% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, headlamp aim and rbt (sp) — position lamp alone was recorded 214 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 8.9% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 25.2% once past 150k — 2.8× the risk.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 24.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 17.3% of tests failed in 2021 against 21.2% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.1% | 553 |
| 2 | Brakes | 9.8% | 359 |
| 3 | Visibility | 5.8% | 212 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.6% | 131 |
| 5 | Suspension | 3.5% | 128 |
| 6 | Tyres | 3.2% | 118 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 214 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 181 |
| 3 | Rbt (sp) | 143 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 130 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 118 |
| 6 | Wipers | 112 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 24.7% | 901 |
| 2 | Tyres | 19.7% | 718 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 13.0% | 475 |
| 4 | Visibility | 8.0% | 291 |
| 5 | Suspension | 7.4% | 272 |
| 6 | Other defects | 6.0% | 218 |
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 | 282 | 8.9% |
| 30-60k | 713 | 14.3% |
| 60-90k | 763 | 20.3% |
| 90-120k | 657 | 21.8% |
| 120-150k | 481 | 25.4% |
| 150k+ | 722 | 25.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 692 | 17.3% |
| 2022 | 713 | 18.5% |
| 2023 | 738 | 22.6% |
| 2024 | 756 | 21.0% |
| 2025 | 754 | 21.2% |
What to check before buying a 2016 Movano
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 15.1% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (15.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (9.8% 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.
- Visibility (5.8% 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 Vauxhall Movanos pass their MOT?
79.8% of the 3,653 2016 Vauxhall Movano MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 20.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2016 Vauxhall Movano?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.1% of tests, followed by brakes (9.8%).
Does the 2016 Movano get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.9% in the 0-30k band to 25.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,653 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.