At a Glance
The Mercedes-benz Vito has 54 identified common problems across 3 generations, with the W639 (2003-2014) being the most affected generation and brakes the most common problem category. Based on 1.4M 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 our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Mercedes-benz Vito common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Mercedes-benz Vito generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Browse Mercedes-benz Vito Generations
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Most Common Mercedes-benz Vito MOT Failures
Every reason Mercedes-benz Vito 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 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 6.49% |
| 2 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 6.35% |
| 3 | Number plate lamp not working | 6.34% |
| 4 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 6.27% |
| 5 | Brake performance below minimum | 5.95% |
| 6 | Stop lamp not working | 5.40% |
| 7 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 5.30% |
| 8 | Windscreen washer not working | 4.34% |
| 9 | Tyre condition | 3.95% |
| 10 | Headlamp aim defect | 3.71% |
| 11 | Exhaust system fault | 3.70% |
| 12 | Brake pads or linings worn | 2.79% |
| 13 | Front lamp not working | 2.78% |
| 14 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 2.62% |
| 15 | Track rod end worn | 2.31% |
| 16 | Brake disc or drum worn | 2.22% |
| 17 | Headlamp fault | 2.01% |
| 18 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 1.88% |
| 19 | Position lamp not working | 1.71% |
| 20 | Driveshaft fault | 1.57% |
| 21 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 1.52% |
| 22 | Suspension mounting corroded | 1.38% |
| 23 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 1.30% |
| 24 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 1.27% |
| 25 | Fog lamp not working | 1.05% |
| 26 | Body corrosion or damage | 1.02% |
| 27 | Chassis condition | 0.98% |
| 28 | Ball joint dust cover split | 0.82% |
| 29 | Rear lamp not working | 0.77% |
| 30 | Horn not working | 0.77% |
| 31 | Indicator fault | 0.74% |
| 32 | Parking brake condition | 0.72% |
| 33 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.70% |
| 34 | Airbag warning light on | 0.66% |
| 35 | Steering rack fault | 0.64% |
| 36 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.54% |
| 37 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.49% |
| 38 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 0.43% |
| 39 | ABS fault | 0.42% |
| 40 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.40% |
| 41 | Seat belt condition | 0.37% |
| 42 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.33% |
| 43 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.32% |
| 44 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.26% |
| 45 | Brake lever fault | 0.24% |
| 46 | Brake pedal fault | 0.23% |
| 47 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.23% |
| 48 | Front suspension fault | 0.20% |
| 49 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.17% |
| 50 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.16% |
| 51 | Electrical switch fault | 0.14% |
| 52 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.13% |
| 53 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.12% |
| 54 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.12% |
| 55 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.11% |
| 56 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.10% |
| 57 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.09% |
| 58 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.09% |
| 59 | Engine oil leak | 0.09% |
| 60 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.08% |
| 61 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.08% |
| 62 | Steering arm worn | 0.08% |
| 63 | Rear suspension fault | 0.07% |
| 64 | Brake fluid leak | 0.07% |
| 65 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.07% |
| 66 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.07% |
| 67 | Steering free play excessive | 0.07% |
| 68 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.07% |
| 69 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.07% |
| 70 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.07% |
| 71 | Brake caliper fault | 0.07% |
| 72 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 0.06% |
| 73 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.06% |
| 74 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.05% |
| 75 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | 0.05% |
| 76 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.04% |
| 77 | Steering operation fault | 0.04% |
| 78 | CV joint worn | 0.04% |
| 79 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.04% |
| 80 | Drag link end worn | 0.04% |
| 81 | Body security fault | 0.04% |
| 82 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.04% |
| 83 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.04% |
| 84 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.04% |
| 85 | Reversing lamp not working | 0.04% |
| 86 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.04% |
| 87 | Propshaft fault | 0.03% |
| 88 | Driver door fault | 0.03% |
| 89 | Front passenger door fault | 0.03% |
| 90 | Passenger seat fault | 0.03% |
| 91 | Spare wheel fault | 0.03% |
| 92 | Towbar fault | 0.03% |
| 93 | Load sensing valve fault | 0.02% |
| 94 | Steering lock fault | 0.02% |
| 95 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.02% |
| 96 | Driver seat fault | 0.02% |
| 97 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | 0.02% |
| 98 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.02% |
| 99 | Exhaust leak | 0.02% |
| 100 | Undertray damaged or missing | 0.02% |
| 101 | King pin or swivel pin worn | 0.02% |
| 102 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | 0.01% |
| 103 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | 0.01% |
| 104 | Steering coupling worn | 0.01% |
| 105 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | 0.01% |
| 106 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | 0.01% |
| 107 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | 0.01% |
| 108 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.01% |
| 109 | Driver airbag fault | 0.01% |
| 110 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 111 | Headlamp washer not working | <0.01% |
| 112 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | <0.01% |
| 113 | Subframe corrosion or damage | <0.01% |
| 114 | Suspension unit fault | <0.01% |
| 115 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 116 | Steering column fault | <0.01% |
| 117 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 118 | Front fog lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 119 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 120 | Power steering ram fault | <0.01% |
| 121 | Electronic parking brake fault | <0.01% |
| 122 | Speedometer fault | <0.01% |
| 123 | Power steering pump fault | <0.01% |
| 124 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 125 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 126 | Electric power steering fault | <0.01% |
| 127 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 128 | Daytime running lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 129 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 130 | Bonded suspension condition | <0.01% |
| 131 | Vehicle floor corroded | <0.01% |
| 132 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 133 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 134 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 135 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 136 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 137 | Steering drive system fault | <0.01% |
| 138 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 139 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 140 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 141 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 142 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 143 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 144 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 145 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 146 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 147 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 148 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | <0.01% |
| 149 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 150 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 151 | Step damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 152 | Passenger compartment corrosion | <0.01% |
| 153 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 154 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 155 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | <0.01% |
| 156 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 157 | Brake linkage mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 158 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 159 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 160 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 161 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 162 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 163 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 164 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 165 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 166 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | <0.01% |
| 167 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 168 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 169 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 170 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 171 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 172 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 173 | Suspension coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 174 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 175 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 176 | Brake stationary pin worn | <0.01% |
| 177 | Speed limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 178 | Brake slack adjuster fault | <0.01% |
| 179 | Seat belt load limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 180 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 181 | Air suspension levelling valve fault | <0.01% |
| 182 | Brake clevis joint worn | <0.01% |
| 183 | Dropside damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 184 | Suspension air bellows damaged | <0.01% |
| 185 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 186 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 187 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
| 188 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 189 | Brake pedal linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 190 | Chain drive fault | <0.01% |
| 191 | Hinged tailboard damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 192 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 193 | Steering head bearings worn | <0.01% |
| 194 | Steering linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 195 | Air brake cylinder or actuator fault | <0.01% |
| 196 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 197 | Handbrake fails on gradient | <0.01% |
| 198 | Hydraulic suspension accumulator fault | <0.01% |
| 199 | Leaf spring shackle bracket corroded | <0.01% |
| 200 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
Showing all 200 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Mercedes-benz Vito MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Mercedes-benz Vito, 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 Vito problems?
Based on analysis of 1.4M Mercedes-benz Vito MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 54 identified common problems across 3 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Coil spring broken or corroded". Brakes is the most common problem category.
Which Mercedes-benz Vito generation has the most problems?
The Mercedes-benz Vito W639 (2003-2014) (2003–2014) has the highest number of identified common problems (70). Click the generation card above for the 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 Vito?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Mercedes-benz Vito owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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