Mercedes-Benz Sprinter: what fails at MOT
30,000 MOT tests on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter in 2024, counted. 26.7% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
26.7% of Mercedes-Benz Sprinter tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 28.5%, so the Sprinter is about average for its age.
It fails most often on brakes (8.4% of tests), lights and electrics (8.3% of tests) and suspension (3.5% of tests). It fails on brakes more often than most cars its age.
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,119 | 18.1% | 10.9% | 44,200 18,400 to 74,500 |
| 2020 | 1,580 | 14.8% | 11.5% | 45,900 20,800 to 88,000 |
| 2019 | 1,767 | 17.8% | 13.4% | 70,800 30,300 to 144,200 |
| 2018 | 1,778 | 17.4% | 15.6% | 77,300 45,700 to 133,400 |
| 2017 | 2,232 | 16.5% | 18.2% | 84,500 45,300 to 142,700 |
| 2016 | 1,942 | 24.0% | 21.3% | 97,100 50,600 to 157,600 |
| 2015 | 2,473 | 24.5% | 24.4% | 106,000 63,600 to 169,700 |
| 2014 | 2,364 | 26.6% | 27.7% | 123,500 75,300 to 179,500 |
| 2013 | 1,954 | 27.4% | 30.6% | 127,300 83,000 to 173,800 |
| 2012 | 1,745 | 33.9% | 33.4% | 126,800 78,300 to 174,400 |
| 2011 | 1,603 | 30.1% | 36.1% | 139,400 81,400 to 183,900 |
| 2010 | 1,571 | 31.1% | 38.6% | 136,400 62,900 to 191,000 |
| 2009 | 1,262 | 33.0% | 39.8% | 138,200 76,000 to 186,400 |
| 2008 | 1,587 | 32.1% | 41.5% | 135,800 86,400 to 181,900 |
| 2007 | 1,533 | 33.0% | 41.5% | 140,900 89,300 to 187,800 |
| 2006 | 1,288 | 37.0% | 42.4% | 139,200 80,900 to 185,100 |
| 2005 | 1,215 | 36.8% | 42.2% | 125,200 70,800 to 170,200 |
| 2004 | 1,176 | 40.0% | 42.3% | 118,100 73,100 to 170,400 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Mercedes-Benz Sprinter tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Sprinter | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes More than most | 8.4% | 4.9% |
| Lights and electrics | 8.3% | 8.1% |
| Suspension Less than most | 3.5% | 6.6% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 3.1% | 3.2% |
| Exhaust and emissions | 2.4% | 2.3% |
| Body and structure | 2.2% | 2.6% |
| Steering | 1.7% | 1.5% |
| Tyres Less than most | 1.7% | 4.3% |
The parts that fail most
- Brake test4.5%
- Headlamp aim2.2%
- Side light1.7%
- Brake pipes1.7%
- Wipers1.6%
- Footbrake1.6%
- Tyre1.5%
- Engine warning light1.5%
- Headlamp1.3%
- Washers1.2%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Brake test: efficiency below requirements3.2%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.5%
- Brake pipes: excessively corroded1.5%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.5%
- Side light: not working1.4%
- Brake test: efficiency less than 50% of the required value1.3%
- Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play1.2%
- Footbrake: excessively binding1.0%
- Rear fog light: not working1.0%
- Ball joint: excessively worn0.9%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material8.5%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened6.5%
- Play in steering rack inner joint(s)5.5%
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge5.3%
- Ball joint: has slight play5.2%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive4.1%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing2.3%
- Track rod end: ball joint has slight play2.0%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “Do the wipers and washers work properly, and is the windscreen chipped or cracked?”
Check a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter's own MOT record
Looking at a Sprinter? Type its registration to see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.