Mercedes-Benz Vito MOT Failure Rate & Common Faults
We analysed 89,070 MOT tests on the Mercedes-Benz Vito carried out in 2023. 34% failed at the first attempt, which is noticeably above the 29% average across all cars in the same data. Put another way, about 7 in 10 Vitos passed first time.
Results cover cars first registered from 1997 to 2022. Compared with other cars of the same age, 2022 models did best (95% passed, +2.0 points against the average for 1-year-old cars), while 1997 models fared worst (45%, −19.7 points). Tested cars had covered 133,326 miles on average, against 73,145 across all cars.
The most common reason for failure was lights and electrics, found on 14.5% of tests (slightly above the 11.3% seen across all cars). The single most frequent fault was "not working", on 6.7% of tests.
- MOT tests analysed
- 89,070
- First-time pass rate
- 66%
- All cars: 71%
- Versus all cars
- −5.3 points
- Average mileage at test
- 133,326
- All cars: 73,145
Checking a particular Vito?
See its own MOT history, advisories and mileage for free.
Vito MOT pass rate by year
Older cars fail more often, so each year is compared with all cars of the same age. Bars above the dashed line did better than average for their age.
| First registered | Tests | Pass rate | All cars, same age | Difference | Avg mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 414 | 95% | 93% | +2.0 points | 31,903 |
| 2021 | 588 | 90% | 91% | −0.9 points | 55,480 |
| 2020 | 4,234 | 77% | 88% | −11.1 points | 53,111 |
| 2019 | 9,106 | 75% | 86% | −11.1 points | 77,097 |
| 2018 | 6,462 | 75% | 84% | −9.5 points | 90,642 |
| 2017 | 9,150 | 74% | 82% | −7.8 points | 112,961 |
| 2016 | 6,378 | 69% | 79% | −9.2 points | 119,522 |
| 2015 | 5,278 | 70% | 75% | −6.0 points | 131,868 |
| 2014 | 4,917 | 66% | 72% | −5.5 points | 144,828 |
| 2013 | 5,169 | 65% | 68% | −3.1 points | 162,370 |
| 2012 | 4,873 | 62% | 66% | −3.4 points | 168,236 |
| 2011 | 3,873 | 62% | 63% | −1.2 points | 167,342 |
| 2010 | 4,561 | 60% | 60% | −0.5 points | 181,501 |
| 2009 | 4,540 | 59% | 59% | −0.1 points | 175,359 |
| 2008 | 4,854 | 58% | 57% | +0.7 points | 170,552 |
| 2007 | 4,840 | 57% | 57% | −0.3 points | 172,244 |
| 2006 | 4,189 | 55% | 56% | −1.2 points | 173,195 |
| 2005 | 2,449 | 53% | 56% | −3.3 points | 155,046 |
| 2004 | 1,180 | 53% | 56% | −3.5 points | 144,014 |
| 2003 | 632 | 46% | 57% | −11.1 points | 133,681 |
| 2002 | 531 | 51% | 58% | −6.1 points | 137,412 |
| 2001 | 298 | 51% | 59% | −7.3 points | 121,171 |
| 2000 | 129 | 53% | 61% | −7.9 points | 114,428 |
| 1999 | 168 | 51% | 62% | −11.9 points | 122,945 |
| 1998 | 156 | 47% | 64% | −16.5 points | 120,946 |
| 1997 | 67 | 45% | 64% | −19.7 points | 116,467 |
Why the Mercedes-Benz Vito fails its MOT
The share of tests with at least one failure in each area, compared with all cars.
| Failure area | Vito | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 14.5% | 11.3% |
| Brakes | 12.3% | 6.8% |
| Suspension | 10.5% | 8.9% |
| Tyres | 6.6% | 6.3% |
| Visibility | 6.5% | 4.8% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 5.0% | 3.1% |
| Body and structure | 4.2% | 3.5% |
| Seatbelts and airbags | 2.1% | 1.0% |
| Steering | 1.6% | 1.8% |
| Number plates and VIN | 0.4% | 0.4% |
Top 10 specific failure reasons
- 1not working6.7%
- 2fractured or broken4.0%
- 3efficiency below requirements3.9%
- 4inoperative or indicates a malfunction3.5%
- 5ball joint excessively worn2.9%
- 6not working on dipped beam2.6%
- 7tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.5%
- 8does not clear the windscreen effectively2.3%
- 9provides insufficient washer liquid2.3%
- 10less than 1.5 mm thick1.9%
Common Vito MOT advisories
Advisories don't cause a fail, but they show what's wearing out. On a used Vito, check whether these have been dealt with. Read our guide to MOT advisories.
| Advisory | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 16.4% |
| in such a condition that it is seriously weakened | Brakes | 8.6% |
| excessively corroded | Brakes | 8.4% |
| less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 6.1% |
| leaking excessively from engine | Noise, emissions and leaks | 5.9% |
| pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension | 3.8% |
| has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | Tyres | 3.7% |
| ball joint excessively worn | Suspension | 3.1% |
| significantly and obviously worn | Brakes | 3.0% |
| tread pattern not visible over the whole tread area when minimum depth required is 1.0mm | Tyres | 2.9% |
Tips to help your Vito pass
Based on where Vitos most often fail. For a full list, use our pre-MOT checklist.
Lights and electrics · 14.5% of Vito tests
Walk round every light
With a helper, check headlights on dipped and main beam, sidelights, brake lights, indicators, the rear fog light and the number plate lamp. Replace blown bulbs in pairs and make sure no lenses are cracked.
Brakes · 12.3% of Vito tests
Don't ignore brake warning signs
Grinding, squealing, a soft pedal or the car pulling to one side under braking are all worth investigating before the MOT. Check whether the last test noted worn pads or discs; if so, they may now be below the limit.
Compare with other models
Is the Vito ULEZ compliant? See the Mercedes-Benz Vito ULEZ check, or view all Mercedes-Benz models.
Other Mercedes-Benz models
Models with similar pass rates
About this data
Based on 89,070 first MOT tests of the Mercedes-Benz Vito carried out in 2023.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). First attempts on cars only; “pass rate” means passing first time. Averages cover all 32,735,164 cars tested (71% passed), and years with under 50 tests are hidden.
Learn more about how our data works.
Frequently asked questions
Answers from 89,070 first MOT tests of the Mercedes-Benz Vito.
What is the Mercedes-Benz Vito MOT failure rate?
In our data, 34% of 89,070 first MOT attempts on the Mercedes-Benz Vito ended in a fail, compared with 29% for all cars.
What is the most common reason a Mercedes-Benz Vito fails its MOT?
The most common failure areas were lights and electrics (14.5% of tests), brakes (12.3% of tests), suspension (10.5% of tests).
Which Vito year has the best MOT pass rate?
Allowing for age, 2022 cars performed best: 95% passed first time, +2.0 points against the average for 1-year-old cars. The weakest was 1997, at 45% (−19.7 points).
How many miles had a typical Mercedes-Benz Vito covered at its MOT?
The average was 133,326 miles, against 73,145 for all cars tested. 2022 cars averaged 31,903 miles and 1997 cars 116,467.
What is the most common MOT advisory on the Mercedes-Benz Vito?
"tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm" was recorded on 16.4% of tests, in the tyres area. 6.6% of Vitos failed in that area too.
How can I check a specific Vito's MOT history?
Enter its registration in our free MOT check. Across the 89,070 Vitos in our data, first-time pass rates ranged from 45% to 95% by year, so one car's own record says more than the average.
Related guides
- MOT · 6 min readPre-MOT checklist: 20 things to check yourself before the testTwenty quick checks, grouped by area, that you can do on your driveway in under half an hour. No tools beyond a coin and a helper needed for most.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readDangerous, major and minor MOT defects explainedSince 2018, every fault found at an MOT goes into one of four categories. Knowing the difference tells you whether you can drive home, and what to fix first.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readThe most common reasons cars fail their MOT (and how to avoid them)Lights alone failed 11.3% of cars at their 2023 MOT, more than any other area. The common failure areas, ranked, and the driveway checks that prevent them.Read the guide
Check any Vito's MOT history
Every test, failure, advisory and recorded mileage for a specific car. Free, from official DVSA data.