2016 Renault Megane — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 29,581 MOT tests analysed for the 2016 Renault Megane, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and tyres. Its pass rate of 81.5% was below the average for small family cars of a similar age (86.4%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 24.9% in the 150k+ group versus 10.6% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 9.7% | 2,875 |
| 2 | Suspension | 7.1% | 2,104 |
| 3 | Tyres | 5.9% | 1,739 |
| 4 | Brakes | 4.7% | 1,382 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.4% | 1,001 |
| 6 | Steering | 1.8% | 518 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stop lamp | 1,319 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 988 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 832 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 826 |
| 5 | Wipers | 744 |
| 6 | Linkage ball joints | 659 |
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 | 27.5% | 8,129 |
| 2 | Brakes | 23.0% | 6,809 |
| 3 | Suspension | 15.9% | 4,713 |
| 4 | Other defects | 7.7% | 2,268 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 3.9% | 1,152 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.2% | 935 |
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 | 4,107 | 10.6% |
| 30-60k | 12,422 | 16.7% |
| 60-90k | 8,203 | 21.9% |
| 90-120k | 3,106 | 24.2% |
| 120-150k | 1,134 | 24.8% |
| 150k+ | 603 | 24.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 24,039 | 19.4% |
| Petrol | 5,542 | 14.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,820 | 15.0% |
| 2022 | 5,816 | 16.2% |
| 2023 | 5,935 | 18.4% |
| 2024 | 6,053 | 20.9% |
| 2025 | 5,957 | 22.0% |
What to check before buying a 2016 Megane
Before buying a 2016 Renault Megane, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 9.7% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (9.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (7.1% 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.
- Tyres (5.9% 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.
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 Renault Meganes pass their MOT?
81.5% of the 29,581 2016 Renault Megane MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 18.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2016 Renault Megane?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 9.7% of tests, followed by suspension (7.1%).
Does the 2016 Megane get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.6% in the 0-30k band to 24.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 29,581 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.