2004 · 20 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2004 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter MOT pass rate and common faults

891 MOT tests in 2024. 58.3% passed first time, compared with 56.4% for all cars the same age.

103Above average
Passed first time58.3%
Failed or needed repairs41.8%
Typical mileage at test127,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 891 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements7.1%
  2. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength5.1%
  3. Position lamp: not working3.7%
  4. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect3.7%
  5. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively3.6%
  6. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded3.6%
  7. Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps2.9%
  8. Stop lamp: not working2.8%
  9. Rear fog lamp: not working2.6%
  10. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn2.2%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics42.8%
  2. Brakes31.8%
  3. Suspension19.1%
  4. Body & chassis10.3%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)8.3%
  6. Steering4.3%
  7. Emissions & leaks3.9%
  8. Tyres3.1%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded21.7%
  2. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn13.5%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened13.0%
  4. Non-component advisories: Play in steering rack inner joint(s)8.0%
  5. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine7.0%

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 2004 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter?

In 2024, 58.3% of 2004 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter cars passed their MOT first time, across 891 tests. The average for all 20-year-old cars was 56.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2004 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; position lamp: not working. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2004 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 103, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).