MOT performance
Mercedes-Benz B-Class W247 (2019 on): MOT pass rate and common failures
Of 13,467 MOT tests on the Mercedes-Benz B-Class W247 in 2023–2024 (cars first registered May 2019 onwards, on average 3.1 years old at test), 90.5% passed first time. Allowing for age, mileage and fuel, the W247 failed 19% less often than comparable cars. Against the generation before it, the W246, it fails 10% less often once age and mileage are allowed for (0.81× vs 0.90×).
13,467 MOT tests on 7,368 vehicles, 2023–2024 · Source: DVSA (Open Government Licence) · Analysis: 73 Auto
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| Figure | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 90.5% | ±0.5 pts (95%), n = 13,467 |
| All Mercedes-Benz B-Classs | 73.0% | n = 145,990 |
| Failures vs similar cars | 0.81× | same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00; Mercedes-Benz B-Class overall 0.96× |
| Tests with a dangerous defect | 2.7% | n = 13,467 |
| Average age at test | 3.1 years | n = 13,467 |
| On sale (catalogue) | 2019 on | Feb 2019 to now |
W247 against the other Mercedes-Benz B-Class generations
Newer generations are younger at test, so their raw pass rates are higher almost by default; the adjusted column compares each with cars of the same age, mileage and fuel.
| Generation | Tests | Average age | First-time pass | vs similar cars | Dangerous |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W246 (2011–2019) | 83,783 | 8.2 yrs | 77.6% | -10% | 7.2% |
| W247 (2019 on) | 13,467 | 3.1 yrs | 90.5% | -19% | 2.7% |
Where the W247 differs
- Road wheels: the W247 failed 70% less often than the Mercedes-Benz B-Class overall, relative to comparable cars (0.60× vs 2.02×).
- Noise, emissions and leaks: the W247 failed 64% less often than the Mercedes-Benz B-Class overall, relative to comparable cars (0.38× vs 1.05×).
- Seat belts and airbags: the W247 failed 63% more often than the Mercedes-Benz B-Class overall, relative to comparable cars (2.66× vs 1.63×).
- Brakes: the W247 failed 51% less often than the Mercedes-Benz B-Class overall, relative to comparable cars (0.46× vs 0.94×).
| Area | W246 (vs similar) | W247 (vs similar) |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 7.2% (+17%) | 4.7% (+14%) |
| Lights, reflectors and electrical | 7.2% (-11%) | 1.6% (-39%) |
| Driver's view of the road | 2.4% (-35%) | 1.6% (-47%) |
| Seat belts and airbags | 1.3% (+108%) | 0.8% (+166%) |
| Brakes | 3.2% (-41%) | 0.8% (-54%) |
Most common Mercedes-Benz B-Class W247 failure items
2 of these 5 items are not among the Mercedes-Benz B-Class's ten most common failures overall.
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | Tyres | 2.48% |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | Driver's view of the road | 1.17% |
| Condition: has ply or cords exposed | Tyres | 0.88% |
| Headlamp aim: too low | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 0.81% |
| Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 0.69% |
Pass rate by age, by generation
At the same age, the generations can be compared directly.
| Age at test (years) | W246 pass rate (tests) | W247 pass rate (tests) |
|---|---|---|
| 3-4 | 86.7% (2,590) | 90.6% (9,065) |
| 5-6 | 84.5% (16,977) | 88.9% (530) |
| 7-8 | 80.0% (22,964) | — |
| 9-10 | 73.9% (29,711) | — |
| 11-12 | 70.5% (11,541) | — |
Registration years in the W247
How cars are assigned to a generation
DVSA records don't say which generation a car is, so 73 Auto assigns each test by first-registration date against its catalogue's on-sale dates for the W247 (Feb 2019 to now). Cars registered within three months either side of a changeover are left out, because run-out stock of the old model and early cars of the new one are registered in the same months. Some cars near the edges may still be of the neighbouring generation.
Check a specific Mercedes-Benz B-Class W247
Enter a UK registration to see that car's own MOT history and what it is likely to cost to own. Your first check is free and shows the vehicle summary and its headline ownership cost. The category-by-category breakdown is part of a paid check.
UK number plate or 17-character VIN
About this data. These are MOT test results, not a measure of mechanical reliability: a car's MOT outcome reflects its condition on the day, which depends on how it has been maintained and driven as well as how it was built. Figures cover class 4 vehicles (cars and light vans), normal tests only (retests excluded), outcomes pass, fail and pass after rectification at the station; vehicles at least 2.5 years old at test. Tests from 2023-01-01 to 2024-12-30. “Compared with similar cars” means compared with the national rate for cars of the same age, mileage band and fuel. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Makes and models are matched to 73 Auto's vehicle catalogue; tests that can't be matched are left out rather than guessed. See how the MOT figures are produced.