2008 · 16 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2008 Mercedes-Benz B-Class MOT pass rate and common faults

3,473 MOT tests in 2024. 54.4% passed first time, compared with 56.9% for all cars the same age.

96Below average
Passed first time54.4%
Failed or needed repairs45.6%
Typical mileage at test98,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 3,473 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt8.9%
  2. Coil spring: fractured or broken6.9%
  3. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn6.2%
  4. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded5.1%
  5. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid3.5%
  6. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements3.4%
  7. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick3.4%
    156 marked dangerous
  8. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.2%
  9. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak2.7%
  10. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction2.5%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Brakes25.7%
  2. Lights & electrics25.1%
  3. Suspension24.3%
  4. Body & chassis12.8%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)10.9%
  6. Tyres7.3%
  7. Emissions & leaks6.0%
  8. Seat belts & airbags2.5%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded23.8%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm16.7%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened14.2%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure12.6%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick8.6%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year fails more often than most cars its age, so budget for repairs and check the history carefully. Before buying, check the area that fails most: joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2008 Mercedes-Benz B-Class?

In 2024, 54.4% of 2008 Mercedes-Benz B-Class cars passed their MOT first time, across 3,473 tests. The average for all 16-year-old cars was 56.9%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2008 Mercedes-Benz B-Class?

The most common failure reasons were joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; coil spring: fractured or broken; suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn. The biggest problem area was brakes.

Is the 2008 Mercedes-Benz B-Class reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 96, which is below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).