MOT failures by make

Mercedes-Benz MOT failures for “Position lamp: not working”

Mercedes-Benz cars failed their MOT on “Position lamp: not working” in 0.93% of 3,425,149 tests in 2023–2024 (31,705 tests) — 59% less often than comparable cars of the same age, mileage and fuel, which would have failed on it in about 2.25% of tests. It is the number 13 most common failure item on Mercedes-Benzs.

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Data to 2024-12-30 · Page updated 2026-09-28 · Publisher: 73 Auto

Mercedes-Benz tests failing on it: 0.93%; 31,705 of 3,425,149 tests, 2023–2024
Comparable cars: 2.25%; national rate at the same age, mileage and fuel
Observed ÷ expected: 0.41×; 73 Auto analysis · rank #13 for Mercedes-Benz

How unusual this is for the make

Across all MOT failures, Mercedes-Benzs fail 14% less often than comparable cars. On this item the gap is 0.48× narrower than that overall level, so it is a genuine Mercedes-Benz pattern rather than a reflection of how often the make fails in general. It is a major defect in the lights, reflectors and electrical part of the test. Nationally it appears on 2.57% of MOT tests.

Mercedes-Benz models and “Position lamp: not working”

The Mercedes-Benz GLC is least affected (0.06× comparable cars); the Mercedes-Benz Citan most (4.19×). Not every model follows the make: the pattern is concentrated in some models. Model rows compare with cars of the same age and fuel.

Mercedes-Benz models: share of MOT tests failing on Position lamp: not working
Model	Tests	Failed on it	vs similar cars
Mercedes-Benz Citan	40,694	4.92%	4.19×
Mercedes-Benz Vito	176,345	2.70%	0.98×
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter	46,508	2.89%	0.85×
Mercedes-Benz Viano	11,169	3.59%	0.79×
Mercedes-Benz GLE	125,766	1.69%	0.64×
Mercedes-Benz CLC	17,704	3.29%	0.60×
Mercedes-Benz CLK	60,862	2.45%	0.46×
Mercedes-Benz C-Class	766,949	0.96%	0.36×
Mercedes-Benz A-Class	685,711	0.51%	0.33×
Mercedes-Benz SLK	133,811	1.17%	0.32×
Mercedes-Benz V-Class	21,178	0.30%	0.30×
Mercedes-Benz S-Class	55,571	0.76%	0.28×
Mercedes-Benz B-Class	145,990	0.77%	0.27×
Mercedes-Benz CLS	48,848	0.66%	0.20×
Mercedes-Benz E-Class	488,758	0.48%	0.20×
Mercedes-Benz SL	43,454	0.67%	0.18×
Mercedes-Benz CLA	117,936	0.13%	0.16×
Mercedes-Benz GLA	165,835	0.07%	0.11×
Mercedes-Benz GLC	150,770	0.03%	0.06×

Models with at least 10,000 MOT tests and 30 expected failures on this item. 2023–2024 DVSA data; 73 Auto analysis.

By age at test

The difference is most pronounced at 11-12 years old: 1.00% of Mercedes-Benz tests against 4.06% for comparable cars.

Mercedes-Benz: share of MOT tests failing on Position lamp: not working by age band, against comparable cars
Age (years)	Mercedes-Benz tests	Mercedes-Benz	Comparable cars
3-4	559,106	0.14%	0.25%
5-6	655,872	0.24%	0.63%
7-8	572,812	0.47%	1.31%
9-10	405,603	0.75%	2.60%
11-12	270,875	1.00%	4.06%
13-15	322,745	2.40%	5.52%
16+	480,292	2.71%	5.08%

Other Mercedes-Benz MOT faults that stand out

Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn · 1.67× comparable cars
Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively · 0.53× comparable cars
Stop lamp: not working · 0.52× comparable cars
Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded · 1.71× comparable cars

Limitations

Official data: DVSA's anonymised MOT results (2023–2024), class 4 initial tests, cars at least 2.5 years old. 73 Auto analysis: the comparison rate applies the national rate of this item for each test's own age, mileage band and fuel to the Mercedes-Benz tests. An MOT result reflects maintenance, mileage and how a car is used as well as its design, so this is not a measure of which make is most reliable. The wording of the defect is DVSA's.

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UK number plate or 17-character VIN

Where these figures come from

Anonymised MOT tests and results (2023 and 2024) — Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). Open Government Licence v3.0.

Figures labelled as 73 Auto estimates are our own analysis of these sources, set out in the methodology and data sources. To report a factual error, see corrections.