Mercedes-benz V Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Mercedes-benz V car check
Is the Mercedes-benz V reliable? We analysed 145,330 real MOT tests across 14,984 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Mercedes-benz V? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Mercedes-benz V is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include parking brake: efficiency below requirements, tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm and brake pipe excessively corroded. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Mercedes-benz V.
Mercedes-benz V Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Mercedes-benz V. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Mercedes-benz V MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Mercedes-benz V to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Mercedes-benz V Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Mercedes-benz V fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Mercedes-benz V Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Mercedes-benz V models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Mercedes-benz V Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Mercedes-benz V owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Mercedes-benz V MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Mercedes-benz V year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 248 | 96.8% | 16,694 | 36,558 | 53,766 |
| 2023 | 570 | 92.6% | 19,838 | 37,960 | 67,119 |
| 2022 | 313 | 90.4% | 21,058 | 39,698 | 65,060 |
| 2021 | 418 | 84.4% | 18,869 | 31,557 | 52,557 |
| 2020 | 1,255 | 87.4% | 27,183 | 45,101 | 74,736 |
| 2019 | 14,922 | 87.8% | 28,805 | 53,076 | 97,016 |
| 2018 | 17,424 | 86.3% | 31,185 | 56,014 | 100,044 |
| 2017 | 19,789 | 85.8% | 37,966 | 67,210 | 115,393 |
| 2016 | 15,226 | 84.9% | 42,569 | 74,172 | 122,966 |
| 2015 | 11,212 | 84.5% | 46,586 | 82,178 | 133,391 |
| 2014 | 54 | 83.3% | 39,247 | 57,739 | 83,986 |
| 2013 | 89 | 85.4% | 46,190 | 77,930 | 161,241 |
| 2012 | 56 | 76.8% | 79,003 | 129,156 | 205,934 |
| 2011 | 75 | 78.7% | 59,841 | 88,209 | 149,880 |
| 2010 | 107 | 77.6% | 51,854 | 76,439 | 111,548 |
| 2009 | 75 | 80.0% | 50,630 | 65,468 | 98,687 |
| 2008 | 93 | 77.4% | 54,589 | 71,980 | 90,385 |
| 2007 | 154 | 76.0% | 47,930 | 60,287 | 74,289 |
| 2004 | 153 | 69.9% | 67,777 | 87,411 | 122,378 |
| 2003 | 5,606 | 69.4% | 57,179 | 88,808 | 123,531 |
How Long Does a Mercedes-benz V Last?
Based on 14,984 Mercedes-benz V vehicles on UK roads.
Mercedes-benz V Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Mercedes-benz V MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Mercedes-benz V
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
96.8% MOT pass rate from 248 tests
62.6% MOT pass rate from 131 tests
The best year to buy a used Mercedes-benz V is 2024, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 96.8% across 248 tests. The 1996 model year has the lowest pass rate at 62.6% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Mercedes-benz V Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-benz V THIS CAR | 77.2% | 145,330 | 82,938 mi | 29 yrs |
| Mercedes-benz C | 77.6% | 8,031,355 | 77,082 mi | 32 yrs |
| Mercedes-benz E | 79.4% | 4,722,746 | 83,960 mi | 33 yrs |
| Mercedes-benz A-class | 77.6% | 4,204,702 | 57,023 mi | 28 yrs |
| Kia Shuma | 66.2% | 66,231 | 57,617 mi | 27 yrs |
Compared to the Mercedes-benz C (77.6% pass rate) and the Mercedes-benz E (79.4% pass rate), the Mercedes-benz V trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Mercedes-benz V you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Mercedes-benz VShould you buy a used Mercedes-benz V?
The Mercedes-benz V has an overall MOT pass rate of 77.2% across 145,330 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common problems on the Mercedes-benz V are parking brake: efficiency below requirements (4,393 recorded failures), tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (2,912), and brake pipe excessively corroded (2,745). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Mercedes-benz V with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.
A typical Mercedes-benz V owner drives around 9,290 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Mercedes-benz V models stay on UK roads for around 29 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.