2002 · 22 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2002 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter MOT pass rate and common faults

778 MOT tests in 2024. 60.5% passed first time, compared with 58.1% for all cars the same age.

104Above average
Passed first time60.5%
Failed or needed repairs39.5%
Typical mileage at test129,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 778 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements5.8%
  2. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength4.8%
  3. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively4.8%
  4. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect4.6%
  5. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded3.5%
  6. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn3.2%
  7. Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps3.0%
  8. Service brake performance: efficiency below requirements2.7%
  9. Position lamp: not working2.7%
  10. Stop lamp: not working2.3%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics42.0%
  2. Brakes35.2%
  3. Suspension18.1%
  4. Body & chassis12.7%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)8.5%
  6. Steering4.1%
  7. Emissions & leaks3.7%
  8. Tyres3.3%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded21.9%
  2. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened14.5%
  3. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn12.1%
  4. Non-component advisories: Play in steering rack inner joint(s)7.7%
  5. Integral vehicle structure condition: corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced7.1%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements. 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 2002 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter?

In 2024, 60.5% of 2002 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter cars passed their MOT first time, across 778 tests. The average for all 22-year-old cars was 58.1%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2002 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter?

The most common failure reasons were rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements; component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength; wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2002 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 104, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).