At a Glance
Mercedes-benz has 206 identified common problems across 46 models, with the Sprinter being the most affected model and electrical the most common problem category. Based on 24.6M MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read how we identify common car problems →
Below: per-model breakdowns of Mercedes-benz common problems, MOT failure rates by category, pass-rate data, and repair patterns drawn from 24.6M DVSA MOT tests across 20 years. Click any model to see generation-specific issues, mileage-banded fault patterns, and the most common MOT failures recorded by UK testers.
MOT Tests & Failures by Model
Top Mercedes-benz models by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that model's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Mercedes-benz Common Problems by Model
Select a model to see problems by generation
Showing top 9 by MOT test volume — search to find any of 46 Mercedes-benz models.
C-class
Most common: Tyres & Wheels
E-class
Most common: Tyres & Wheels
A-class
Most common: Brakes
Sprinter
Most common: Brakes
Vito
Most common: Brakes
Clk-class
Most common: Brakes
Slk-class
Most common: Tyres & Wheels
M-class
Most common: Brakes
B-class
Most common: Tyres & Wheels
Most Common Mercedes-benz MOT Failures
Every reason Mercedes-benz vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 8.51% |
| 2 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 8.15% |
| 3 | Tyre condition | 7.41% |
| 4 | Number plate lamp not working | 4.67% |
| 5 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 4.58% |
| 6 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 4.45% |
| 7 | Stop lamp not working | 4.44% |
| 8 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 4.20% |
| 9 | Brake performance below minimum | 4.05% |
| 10 | Brake pads or linings worn | 3.33% |
| 11 | Windscreen washer not working | 3.13% |
| 12 | Headlamp aim defect | 2.88% |
| 13 | Track rod end worn | 2.32% |
| 14 | Front lamp not working | 2.29% |
| 15 | Exhaust system fault | 2.18% |
| 16 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 1.98% |
| 17 | Indicator fault | 1.89% |
| 18 | Headlamp fault | 1.63% |
| 19 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 1.61% |
| 20 | Ball joint dust cover split | 1.60% |
| 21 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 1.52% |
| 22 | Front suspension joint worn | 1.48% |
| 23 | Brake disc or drum worn | 1.47% |
| 24 | Position lamp not working | 1.40% |
| 25 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 1.29% |
| 26 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 1.13% |
| 27 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 1.07% |
| 28 | Airbag warning light on | 1.00% |
| 29 | Rear lamp not working | 0.99% |
| 30 | Driveshaft fault | 0.82% |
| 31 | Parking brake condition | 0.78% |
| 32 | Fog lamp not working | 0.76% |
| 33 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.74% |
| 34 | ABS fault | 0.68% |
| 35 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.63% |
| 36 | Seat belt condition | 0.54% |
| 37 | Suspension mounting corroded | 0.53% |
| 38 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.50% |
| 39 | Horn not working | 0.46% |
| 40 | Steering rack fault | 0.41% |
| 41 | Chassis condition | 0.37% |
| 42 | Front suspension fault | 0.36% |
| 43 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.28% |
| 44 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.28% |
| 45 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.28% |
| 46 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.26% |
| 47 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.18% |
| 48 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.18% |
| 49 | Brake pedal fault | 0.18% |
| 50 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | 0.17% |
| 51 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.17% |
| 52 | Brake lever fault | 0.16% |
| 53 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.16% |
| 54 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.14% |
| 55 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.13% |
| 56 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.13% |
| 57 | Electrical switch fault | 0.12% |
| 58 | Drag link end worn | 0.11% |
| 59 | Steering free play excessive | 0.10% |
| 60 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.10% |
| 61 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.10% |
| 62 | Steering arm worn | 0.09% |
| 63 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.09% |
| 64 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.09% |
| 65 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.09% |
| 66 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.08% |
| 67 | Engine oil leak | 0.08% |
| 68 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.08% |
| 69 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.08% |
| 70 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | 0.07% |
| 71 | Brake caliper fault | 0.07% |
| 72 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.06% |
| 73 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.06% |
| 74 | Rear suspension fault | 0.06% |
| 75 | Brake fluid leak | 0.06% |
| 76 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.06% |
| 77 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.05% |
| 78 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.05% |
| 79 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.05% |
| 80 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.05% |
| 81 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.04% |
| 82 | Propshaft fault | 0.04% |
| 83 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.04% |
| 84 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.04% |
| 85 | Steering operation fault | 0.04% |
| 86 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.04% |
| 87 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.04% |
| 88 | Body security fault | 0.03% |
| 89 | Reversing lamp not working | 0.03% |
| 90 | Front passenger door fault | 0.03% |
| 91 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | 0.03% |
| 92 | Driver seat fault | 0.03% |
| 93 | Headlamp washer not working | 0.03% |
| 94 | Suspension unit fault | 0.03% |
| 95 | Driver door fault | 0.03% |
| 96 | Steering column fault | 0.03% |
| 97 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.02% |
| 98 | Outline marker lamp not working | 0.02% |
| 99 | Steering lock fault | 0.02% |
| 100 | Undertray damaged or missing | 0.02% |
| 101 | Steering damper fault | 0.02% |
| 102 | Power steering pump fault | 0.02% |
| 103 | Passenger seat fault | 0.02% |
| 104 | Steering box fault | 0.02% |
| 105 | Driver airbag fault | 0.02% |
| 106 | King pin or swivel pin worn | 0.02% |
| 107 | Exhaust leak | 0.02% |
| 108 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.02% |
| 109 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | 0.02% |
| 110 | Spare wheel fault | 0.02% |
| 111 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 112 | Steering coupling worn | 0.02% |
| 113 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | 0.01% |
| 114 | Load sensing valve fault | 0.01% |
| 115 | Bonded suspension condition | 0.01% |
| 116 | Transmission oil leak | 0.01% |
| 117 | Towbar fault | 0.01% |
| 118 | Electronic braking system fault | 0.01% |
| 119 | Speedometer fault | 0.01% |
| 120 | Electronic parking brake fault | 0.01% |
| 121 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | 0.01% |
| 122 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | 0.01% |
| 123 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | 0.01% |
| 124 | Power steering ram fault | 0.01% |
| 125 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 126 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 127 | Securing bolts missing or insecure | <0.01% |
| 128 | Electric power steering fault | <0.01% |
| 129 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 130 | Vehicle floor corroded | <0.01% |
| 131 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 132 | Steering drive system fault | <0.01% |
| 133 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 134 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 135 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 136 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 137 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 138 | CV joint worn | <0.01% |
| 139 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 140 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 141 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 142 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 143 | Suspension air bellows damaged | <0.01% |
| 144 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 145 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 146 | Air suspension levelling valve fault | <0.01% |
| 147 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 148 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 149 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 150 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 151 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 152 | Front fog lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 153 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | <0.01% |
| 154 | Leaf spring eye worn or broken | <0.01% |
| 155 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 156 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 157 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 158 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 159 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 160 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 161 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 162 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 163 | Anchor bracket corroded | <0.01% |
| 164 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 165 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 166 | Daytime running lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 167 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 168 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 169 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 170 | Step damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 171 | Leaf spring shackle bracket corroded | <0.01% |
| 172 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 173 | Dropside damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 174 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 175 | Spring saddle corroded | <0.01% |
| 176 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 177 | Brake linkage mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 178 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 179 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 180 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 181 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 182 | Hydraulic suspension accumulator fault | <0.01% |
| 183 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 184 | Passenger compartment corrosion | <0.01% |
| 185 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 186 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 187 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 188 | Brake clevis joint worn | <0.01% |
| 189 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 190 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 191 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 192 | Brake slack adjuster fault | <0.01% |
| 193 | Leaf spring slipper worn | <0.01% |
| 194 | Hinged tailboard damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 195 | Handbrake fails on gradient | <0.01% |
| 196 | Speed limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 197 | Brake pedal linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 198 | Suspension coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 199 | Brake stationary pin worn | <0.01% |
| 200 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 201 | Seat belt load limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 202 | Air brake cylinder or actuator fault | <0.01% |
| 203 | Cab corrosion or damage | <0.01% |
| 204 | Steering head bearings worn | <0.01% |
| 205 | Chain drive fault | <0.01% |
| 206 | Steering linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 207 | Passenger hand grip fault | <0.01% |
Showing all 207 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Mercedes-benz MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for Mercedes-benz, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Mercedes-benz problems?
Based on analysis of 24.6M Mercedes-benz MOT tests from DVSA data, Mercedes-benz has 206 identified common problems across 46 models. The Mercedes-benz Sprinter has the most recorded problems. Electrical issues are the most common category.
Which Mercedes-benz model has the most problems?
By total identified common problems, the Mercedes-benz Sprinter has the highest count with 76 problems. This is partly because it is one of the more popular Mercedes-benz models on UK roads. See the models grid for a full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Mercedes-benz?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Mercedes-benz owners spot problems early. We review all submissions before they are published.
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