2002 · 22 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2002 Mercedes-Benz V-Class MOT pass rate and common faults

126 MOT tests in 2024. 56.4% passed first time, compared with 58.1% for all cars the same age.

97Below average
Passed first time56.4%
Failed or needed repairs43.6%
Typical mileage at test135,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 126 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements7.9%
  2. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength6.3%
  3. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn5.6%
  4. Service brake performance: efficiency below requirements5.6%
  5. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt4.8%
  6. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively4.0%
  7. Washers: not working4.0%
  8. Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps3.2%
  9. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases3.2%
  10. Position lamp: not working3.2%

Problem areas

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

  1. Brakes33.3%
  2. Lights & electrics29.4%
  3. Suspension23.8%
  4. Body & chassis19.8%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)11.9%
  6. Emissions & leaks7.9%
  7. Seat belts & airbags6.3%
  8. Tyres5.6%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded19.0%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm16.7%
  3. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine15.1%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened11.9%
  5. Integral vehicle structure condition: corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced9.5%

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: 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.

All V-Class years2015 V-Class →

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2002 Mercedes-Benz V-Class?

In 2024, 56.4% of 2002 Mercedes-Benz V-Class cars passed their MOT first time, across 126 tests. The average for all 22-year-old cars was 58.1%.

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

The most common failure reasons were rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements; component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength; suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn. The biggest problem area was brakes.

Is the 2002 Mercedes-Benz V-Class reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 97, which is below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).