Mercedes-Benz V-Class: what fails at MOT
23,000 MOT tests on the Mercedes-Benz V-Class in 2024, counted. 15% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
14.8% of Mercedes-Benz V-Class tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 16.5%, so the V-Class is about average for its age.
It fails most often on tyres (3.4% of tests), suspension (2.9% of tests) and brakes (1.9% of tests). It fails on suspension 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 | 1,287 | 18.4% | 10.9% | 21,300 11,700 to 38,600 |
| 2020 | 1,769 | 12.9% | 11.5% | 41,300 25,600 to 65,600 |
| 2019 | 5,731 | 12.2% | 13.4% | 71,300 41,300 to 117,600 |
| 2018 | 4,502 | 15.8% | 15.6% | 80,900 47,400 to 133,200 |
| 2017 | 4,211 | 15.4% | 18.2% | 103,300 62,600 to 164,800 |
| 2016 | 2,934 | 15.9% | 21.3% | 107,200 69,700 to 172,800 |
| 2015 | 2,056 | 16.3% | 24.4% | 127,900 87,700 to 192,100 |
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 V-Class tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | V-Class | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 3.4% | 3.6% | |
| Suspension | 2.9% | 2.0% | More than most |
| Brakes | 1.9% | 2.2% | |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 1.3% | 2.1% | Less than most |
| Lights and electrics | 1.0% | 3.1% | Less than most |
| Exhaust and emissions | 0.7% | 0.9% | |
| Body and structure | 0.4% | 0.6% |
The parts that fail most
- Tyre2.4%
- Coil spring1.3%
- Ball joint1.1%
- Tyre tread1.0%
- Wipers0.9%
- Brake pads0.8%
- Brake test0.7%
- Engine warning light0.6%
- Shock absorbers0.5%
- Headlamp aim0.5%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Coil spring: fractured or broken1.3%
- Ball joint: excessively worn1.1%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed1.0%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm0.9%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively0.9%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords0.7%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick0.7%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction0.6%
- Tyre: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure0.4%
- Brake test: efficiency less than 50% of the required value0.4%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge8.3%
- Brake pads: wearing thin2.9%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened2.7%
- Brake discs: worn, but not excessively2.0%
- Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil1.6%
- Ball joint: has slight play1.1%
- Tyre: has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords0.7%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing0.6%
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
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
- “Do the wipers and washers work properly, and is the windscreen chipped or cracked?”
Check a Mercedes-Benz V-Class's own MOT record
Type the registration from the advert. You'll 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.