The picture
416: a below-average pass rate worth digging into
Across 618 MOT tests, the 416 returns 69.1% first-time pass — well below the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is the strength or continuity of the load bearing. A split CV-joint boot and a defective headlamp lens round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 81,844, 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
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
58 occurrences · 9.4% of tests
- 02
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot severely deteriorated
47 occurrences · 7.6% of tests
- 03
Headlamp reflector or lens slightly defective
31 occurrences · 5.0% of tests
- 04
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
29 occurrences · 4.7% of tests
- 05
Exhaust system leaking or insecure
26 occurrences · 4.2% of tests
- 06
Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
21 occurrences · 3.4% of tests
- 07
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources
19 occurrences · 3.1% of tests
- 08
Brakes imbalance across an axle such that the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle.
18 occurrences · 2.9% of tests
- 09
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
18 occurrences · 2.9% of tests
- 10
Wiper blade defective
17 occurrences · 2.8% 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 2 failures
£130–£360
If every one of this 416'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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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.
Buying or keeping a 416?
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 416 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.