Ajs Cadwell (2016)

158 real MOT outcomes analysed • 81.6% first-time pass rate

2016 Ajs Cadwell

CarHunch analysed 158 real MOT records for the 2016 Ajs Cadwell. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

On this page
AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Compare Models

The 2016 AJS Cadwell falls well short of the UK MOT average, with a first-time pass rate of just 65.1% against the national 80%—meaning one in three of these bikes needs work before passing inspection. While the 16.5% rate of dangerous defects isn't extreme, it's a concern worth noting when evaluating purchase risk.

These Cadwells show very low mileage for their age (median 5,055 miles), suggesting many are weekend or fair-weather machines rather than daily commuters, yet they still rack up 0.81 failures per vehicle on average. The 2.4 advisories per bike point to niggling wear issues—the kind that add up across a fragile chassis or aging electrics, so budget for regular servicing and check the maintenance history carefully before committing to one.

We have limited data for the 2016 Ajs Cadwell — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

⚠️ Around 1 in 8 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.
First-time pass
81.6%
UK average ~80%
Around average
Dangerous (ever)
16.5%
At least once in MOT history
Check this vehicle
Avg failures / car
0.81
Over 4 tests on record
Moderate
Typical mileage
5k
Middle half: 2k–10k
For context

These stats describe 158 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Average reliability — agree?

What tends to go wrong

Across 158 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Brake wear 23.5%
Front Brake indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort · Rear Brake indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort · Rear Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit · …
Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.
Lighting 23.5%
Drive chain slightly loose · Rear Position lamp not working · Headlamp not working on main beam · …
Usually cheap to fix. Worth confirming all lights work before collecting.
Other issues 22.1%
Drive chain worn but not considered excessive · COVID-19 6 MONTH EXTENSION · Drive chain excessively loose · …
Exhaust & emissions 9.4%
Exhaust noisy

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2016.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 158 Ajs Cadwell cars.

UK

Before you buy a 2016 Ajs Cadwell

Based on MOT data from 158 vehicles — here's what to check.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. 16.5% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
    Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
  • 🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection ClickMechanic
  • 📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History carVertical Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Petrol (97%) 154 81.3% 0.82

Mileage Distribution

Most 2016 Ajs Cadwell vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

5,055
typical
2,438
low mileage
9,907
high mileage

Half of all 2016 Ajs Cadwell vehicles fall between 2,438 and 9,907 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?
Under 2,438 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.
2,438–9,907 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2016 Ajs Cadwells sit.
Over 13,374 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2016 Ajs Cadwell — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 55% of 2016 Ajs Cadwells are still active.

45 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 55% of the peak remain.

72 45 2019 2025

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2019–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

4
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
0.81
Avg failures per vehicle
2.4
Avg advisories per vehicle
Other model years — Ajs Cadwell: All Cadwell years → Which year to buy? →
2017

Or browse all models: Ajs →

Compare with another model

See how the 2016 Ajs Cadwell stacks up against a rival.

Average reliability — agree?