Mercedes common problems and MOT failures
From 15,373 MOT tests in 2024, 18.3% of Mercedes vehicles failed. Below are the most common reasons, ranked by how often they occur.
Top Mercedes MOT failure reasons
| # | Problem | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | the aim of a headlamp is not within limits the requirements | 430 |
| 2 | lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 361 |
| 3 | suspension pin, bush or joint worn | 359 |
| 4 | brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded | 281 |
| 5 | steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 248 |
| 6 | parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement | 237 |
| 7 | windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 206 |
| 8 | direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 201 |
| 9 | spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened | 198 |
| 10 | wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen | 184 |
What this means if you're buying a Mercedes
The single most common MOT failure for Mercedes is the aim of a headlamp is not within limits the requirements, accounting for 16% of all failure items. Headlamp alignment can usually be adjusted for under £30, but bulb or unit replacement varies.
These figures are from real MOT inspections — they show what testers actually find wrong with Mercedes vehicles. If you're viewing a used Mercedes, it's worth checking these areas specifically.
Buying a specific Mercedes? Check the individual vehicle's MOT history for free on GOV.UK to see its actual test results, advisories, and mileage readings.
Check MOT history on GOV.UK