2005 · 19 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2005 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter MOT pass rate and common faults

881 MOT tests in 2024. 62.2% passed first time, compared with 56.5% for all cars the same age.

110Well above average
Passed first time62.2%
Failed or needed repairs37.8%
Typical mileage at test126,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 881 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements5.4%
  2. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength4.2%
  3. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded3.4%
  4. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect3.4%
  5. Position lamp: not working3.4%
  6. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn3.3%
  7. Rear fog lamp: not working3.3%
  8. Stop lamp: not working3.2%
  9. Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps3.0%
  10. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.6%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics44.2%
  2. Brakes28.1%
  3. Suspension16.7%
  4. Body & chassis11.7%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)7.3%
  6. Emissions & leaks4.1%
  7. Tyres3.6%
  8. Steering3.5%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded20.9%
  2. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened15.8%
  3. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn11.8%
  4. Wheel bearings: has excessive play8.2%
  5. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm7.8%

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 2005 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter?

In 2024, 62.2% of 2005 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter cars passed their MOT first time, across 881 tests. The average for all 19-year-old cars was 56.5%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2005 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; rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2005 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 110, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).