MOT performance
Mercedes-Benz V-Class MOT pass rate and common failures
Across 21,178 MOT tests of the Mercedes-Benz V-Class in 2023–2024, 80.8% passed first time. Allowing for age, mileage and fuel, Mercedes-Benz V-Classs failed 19% less often than comparable cars. The most common failure item was “coil spring: fractured or broken”, on 2.80% of tests.
21,178 MOT tests on 9,061 vehicles, 2023–2024 · Source: DVSA (Open Government Licence) · Analysis: 73 Auto
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| Figure | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 80.8% | ±0.5 pts (95%), n = 21,178 |
| Failures vs similar cars | 0.81× | same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00 |
| Tests with a dangerous defect | 7.9% | n = 21,178 |
| Average age at test | 6.3 years | n = 21,178 |
| Median mileage at test | 81,076 miles | n = 21,178 |
| Vehicles tested | 9,061 | 2023–2024 |
Where Mercedes-Benz V-Classs 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 7.0% | +15% |
| Suspension | 6.0% | +10% |
| Brakes | 4.7% | -12% |
| Driver's view of the road | 3.1% | -22% |
| Lights, reflectors and electrical | 2.6% | -69% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 1.6% | -43% |
| Body, chassis and structure | 1.5% | -26% |
| Seat belts and airbags | 0.5% | -27% |
| Road wheels | 0.4% | +13% |
| Registration plates and VIN | 0.3% | -7% |
| Steering | 0.3% | -73% |
Most common failure items
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | Suspension | 2.80% |
| Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 2.15% |
| Condition: has ply or cords exposed | Tyres | 2.14% |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | Driver's view of the road | 1.98% |
| Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn | Suspension | 1.79% |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 1.60% |
| Condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | Tyres | 1.37% |
| Rbt (sp): efficiency less than 50% of the required value | Brakes | 0.86% |
| Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction | Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.79% |
| Condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | Tyres | 0.70% |
Most common advisories
Advisories are items the tester expects to need attention soon; they don't fail the test.
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 15.06% |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 5.84% |
| Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened | Brakes | 5.73% |
| Brake discs: significantly and obviously worn | Brakes | 4.20% |
| Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak | Suspension | 2.62% |
Pass rate by age
| Age at test (years) | Tests | First-time pass rate | Failures vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-4 | 5,718 | 84.0% | -16% |
| 5-6 | 8,944 | 81.8% | -18% |
| 7-8 | 4,775 | 80.2% | -29% |
| 9-10 | 385 | 80.0% | -40% |
| 16+ | 996 | 56.0% | +7% |
Pass rate by registration year
| Registered | Tests | First-time pass rate | Failures vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 543 | 84.2% | 0.91× |
| 2019 | 5,039 | 85.3% | 0.74× |
| 2018 | 4,929 | 81.6% | 0.89× |
| 2017 | 4,508 | 81.1% | 0.80× |
| 2016 | 3,026 | 80.8% | 0.72× |
| 2015 | 1,846 | 78.8% | 0.71× |
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 V-Class
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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.