2009 · 15 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2009 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter MOT pass rate and common faults

834 MOT tests in 2024. 66.5% passed first time, compared with 58.4% for all cars the same age.

114Well above average
Passed first time66.5%
Failed or needed repairs33.5%
Typical mileage at test135,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 834 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements6.8%
  2. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play4.3%
  3. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction2.9%
  4. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded2.4%
  5. Service brake performance: excessively binding2.4%
  6. Position lamp: not working2.4%
  7. Rbt (sp): efficiency less than 50% of the required value2.0%
    27 marked dangerous
  8. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.8%
  9. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak1.8%
  10. Parking brake performance: inoperative on one side1.6%

Problem areas

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

  1. Brakes24.8%
  2. Lights & electrics24.7%
  3. Suspension9.4%
  4. Steering6.7%
  5. Emissions & leaks6.5%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)6.0%
  7. Body & chassis5.5%
  8. Tyres2.9%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded19.2%
  2. Non-component advisories: Play in steering rack inner joint(s)12.6%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened11.9%
  4. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine10.6%
  5. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm9.1%

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 2009 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter?

In 2024, 66.5% of 2009 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter cars passed their MOT first time, across 834 tests. The average for all 15-year-old cars was 58.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2009 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter?

The most common failure reasons were rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements; track rod end: ball joint has excessive play; malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction. The biggest problem area was brakes.

Is the 2009 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 114, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).