The picture
216: above-average pass rates, with caveats
Across 5,376 MOT tests, the 216 returns 82.1% first-time pass — above the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is tyre tread under the limit. Windscreen damage and worn suspension bushes round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 66,441, which is the lens to read those failure rankings through. If you own one and the next test is close, the ranked list below is a sensible pre-test checklist.
Top ten reasons for rejection.
- 01
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
154 occurrences · 2.9% of tests
- 02
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
103 occurrences · 1.9% of tests
- 03
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
101 occurrences · 1.9% of tests
- 04
a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
97 occurrences · 1.8% of tests
- 05
A tyre seriously damaged
92 occurrences · 1.7% of tests
- 06
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
81 occurrences · 1.5% of tests
- 07
Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction
67 occurrences · 1.2% of tests
- 08
A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
57 occurrences · 1.1% of tests
- 09
A tyre cords visible or damaged
53 occurrences · 1.0% of tests
- 10
A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
48 occurrences · 0.9% of tests
Counts cover Major and Dangerous defects logged at test. Advisory items excluded so this shows why a car was rejected, not just what the tester flagged in passing.
Worst-case fix budget · top 3 failures
£220–£495
If every one of this 216's most-logged Major fails hit at the same MOT, that's the real-world UK garage range. Reality is usually one or two items, not all of them. Open the estimator →
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Build your own retest budget.
Tools that pre-empt a retest.
Picked against this car's top failure patterns. Affiliate links to Amazon UK — we earn a small cut at no cost to you. Disclosed up-front, doesn't shape the data.
Item 01 · Amazon UK
Digital tyre-tread depth gauge
Five quid for a gauge beats £150 for a retest. UK MOT minimum is 1.6mm — most testers fail anything below 2mm to be safe.
Search Amazon UK
Item 02 · Amazon UK
Brake pad measurement gauge
Testers fail pads under 1.5mm. A wear gauge tells you if you've got two months left or two weeks.
Search Amazon UK
Buying or keeping a 216?
Use the failure ranking as a pre-test checklist or a haggling lever. Treat the headline pass rate as a fleet-wide trend, not a guarantee on any individual car.
If you own a 216 and your last MOT looked nothing like the ranked failures above, that's normal — individual cars vary widely. The ranking shows the patterns testers flag most often across the country.