2016 Ford Mustang MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 81.4% of Ford Mustangs first used in 2016 passed their MOT first time, against 74.9% for all cars first used in 2016. Across 7,708 Mustang first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were brakes, tyres and visibility (wipers, washers and windscreen).
This page analyses first MOT tests for Ford Mustangs first used in 2016 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.
Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026
How the 2016 Ford Mustang MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, Mustangs first used in 2016 against all cars first used in 2016 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Mustang figure was 6.5 points higher.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2016 Mustang | All cars first used 2016 | Mustang first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 85.5% | 82.7% | 2,744 |
| 2022 | 83.5% | 80.9% | 2,625 |
| 2023 | 81.9% | 78.6% | 2,603 |
| 2024 | 81.4% | 76.7% | 2,579 |
| 2025 | 81.4% | 74.9% | 2,526 |
Common 2016 Ford Mustang MOT failures
Share of the 1,421 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
Most common failure items
| DVSA failure item | Share of failed first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Parking brake efficiency (sp): efficiency below requirements | 16.9% | 240 |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | 12.3% | 175 |
| Parking brake performance: inoperative on one side | 12.1% | 172 |
| Ball joint: excessively worn | 10.5% | 149 |
| Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid | 9.8% | 139 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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Typical repair costs for common MOT failures
Typical UK garage prices for the job, not for a Mustang in particular, and not a quote.
| Failure item | Typical job | Typical UK price | Usual range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parking brake performance: inoperative on one side | Handbrake cable replacement | £105 | £75–£150 |
| Ball joint: excessively worn | Ball joint replacement | £90 | £60–£150 |
From published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026. Only jobs with a published typical price are shown.
What to check on a 2016 Ford Mustang before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Brakes. Worth looking at the discs and pads through the wheel spokes for scoring and a worn lip, and noticing on the test drive whether the car pulls to one side or the pedal feels long.
- Tyres. Worth checking the tread depth across the whole width of each tyre, and the sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
- Wipers and windscreen. Worth checking that the wipers clear the screen cleanly, that the washers work, and that there are no chips or cracks in the driver’s view.
Common 2016 Ford Mustang MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2016 Mustangs, as a share of all 7,708 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 14.2% | 1,094 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 5.5% | 423 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 5.0% | 382 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | 4.1% | 316 |
| Ball joint: has slight play | 1.9% | 150 |
Questions about the 2016 Ford Mustang MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2016 Ford Mustang?
In 2025, 81.4% of Mustangs first used in 2016 passed their MOT first time, against 74.9% for all cars first used in 2016. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2016 Mustang most often fail its MOT on?
Brakes (in 36.9% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), tyres (26.7%) and visibility (wipers, washers and windscreen) (25.0%). The single most common item was “Parking brake efficiency (sp): efficiency below requirements” (16.9%).
How often does a 2016 Ford Mustang fail its MOT?
In 2025, 18.6% of first tests on Mustangs first used in 2016 did not pass first time: 16.9% failed, and a further 1.7% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 1,421 of 7,708 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2016 Ford Mustang MOT advisories?
“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 14.2% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (5.5%), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (5.0%), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (4.1%) and “Ball joint: has slight play” (1.9%).
Is a 2016 Ford Mustang reliable?
An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 85.5% in 2021 to 81.4% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2016
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2016 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2016 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2016 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2016 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2016 Nissan Qashqai MOT statistics
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