MOT performance
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter MOT pass rate and common failures
Across 46,508 MOT tests of the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter in 2023–2024, 70.5% passed first time. Allowing for age, mileage and fuel, Mercedes-Benz Sprinters failed 12% less often than comparable cars. The most common failure item was “rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements”, on 4.96% of tests.
46,508 MOT tests on 25,693 vehicles, 2023–2024 · Source: DVSA (Open Government Licence) · Analysis: 73 Auto
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| Figure | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 70.5% | ±0.4 pts (95%), n = 46,508 |
| Failures vs similar cars | 0.88× | same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00 |
| Tests with a dangerous defect | 6.4% | n = 46,508 |
| Average age at test | 12 years | n = 46,508 |
| Median mileage at test | 115,760 miles | n = 46,508 |
| Vehicles tested | 25,693 | 2023–2024 |
Where Mercedes-Benz Sprinters fail
The share of MOT tests that failed on each area, and how that compares with cars of the same age, mileage and fuel. Areas where the difference is large and clear link to their own page.
| Area | Tests failed on it | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lights, reflectors and electrical | 14.6% | -2% |
| Brakes | 13.6% | +40% |
| Suspension | 6.5% | -46% |
| Driver's view of the road | 5.3% | -4% |
| Body, chassis and structure | 4.5% | -22% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 3.4% | -12% |
| Steering | 2.8% | -9% |
| Tyres | 2.8% | -56% |
| Seat belts and airbags | 2.0% | +11% |
| Registration plates and VIN | 0.6% | +20% |
| Road wheels | 0.1% | -75% |
| Speedometer and driving controls | 0.0% | -54% |
Most common failure items
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements | Brakes | 4.96% |
| Position lamp: not working | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 2.89% |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | Driver's view of the road | 2.81% |
| Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded | Brakes | 2.51% |
| Rbt (sp): efficiency less than 50% of the required value | Brakes | 1.90% |
| Rear fog lamp: not working | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 1.75% |
| Stop lamp: not working | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 1.67% |
| Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play | Steering | 1.65% |
| Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 1.50% |
| Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength | Suspension | 1.46% |
Most common advisories
Advisories are items the tester expects to need attention soon; they don't fail the test.
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded | Brakes | 14.07% |
| Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened | Brakes | 10.61% |
| Non-component advisories: Play in steering rack inner joint(s) | Other | 8.25% |
| Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn | Suspension | 7.72% |
| Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 6.99% |
Pass rate by age
| Age at test (years) | Tests | First-time pass rate | Failures vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-4 | 4,358 | 84.7% | -21% |
| 5-6 | 4,841 | 82.5% | -20% |
| 7-8 | 5,563 | 76.4% | -13% |
| 9-10 | 5,222 | 72.6% | -17% |
| 11-12 | 4,461 | 67.3% | -11% |
| 13-15 | 6,022 | 66.3% | -16% |
| 16+ | 14,781 | 61.2% | -8% |
Pass rate by registration year
| Registered | Tests | First-time pass rate | Failures vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 879 | 80.1% | 1.03× |
| 2020 | 2,069 | 85.0% | 0.80× |
| 2019 | 2,286 | 83.9% | 0.81× |
| 2018 | 2,409 | 84.2% | 0.75× |
| 2017 | 2,633 | 82.5% | 0.77× |
| 2016 | 2,464 | 76.3% | 0.95× |
| 2015 | 3,141 | 75.8% | 0.84× |
| 2014 | 2,812 | 73.0% | 0.85× |
| 2013 | 2,390 | 72.5% | 0.81× |
| 2012 | 2,402 | 67.1% | 0.92× |
| 2011 | 2,083 | 69.1% | 0.82× |
| 2010 | 2,134 | 66.6% | 0.86× |
| 2009 | 1,684 | 67.9% | 0.81× |
| 2008 | 2,292 | 64.8% | 0.85× |
| 2007 | 2,075 | 64.1% | 0.85× |
| 2006 | 1,804 | 62.9% | 0.88× |
| 2005 | 1,889 | 62.0% | 0.90× |
| 2004 | 2,022 | 59.1% | 0.95× |
| 2003 | 1,813 | 60.2% | 0.93× |
| 2002 | 1,718 | 59.3% | 0.97× |
| 2001 | 1,303 | 62.4% | 0.90× |
| 2000 | 746 | 60.9% | 0.95× |
| 1999 | 458 | 60.9% | 0.97× |
| 1998 | 444 | 56.3% | 1.12× |
Years with fewer tests are shown for completeness; only years with enough tests have their own page.
Compared with similar models
Check a specific Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
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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.