Mercedes-Benz Vito
From 151,914 MOT tests. Average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
Newer Vitos fare better: 2023 models pass at 93.1% vs 64.6% for 2002.
Pass rate by fuel type
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement and a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened. The top issue, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, caused 4,618 failures in 2024. Checking tread depth (1.6mm legal minimum, 3mm recommended) before your test can save an unnecessary fail. You can check prices at Black Circles if you need replacements. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 4,618 |
| parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement | 3,941 |
| a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened | 3,829 |
| tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 2,836 |
| engine mil illuminated indicating a malfunction | 2,798 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 2,588 |
| windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 2,426 |
| parking brake inoperative on one side | 2,291 |
| a tyre seriously damaged | 2,056 |
| parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value | 2,050 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 37.3% of Vito failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 36.1% are safety issues where the car still drives but shouldn't, such as worn brakes, corroded brake pipes, and steering wear. Breakdown cover may be worth considering for this model. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £148.
The warranty question
A 3-year-old Vito passes its MOT 82.4% of the time. By 7 years old that drops to 76.8%, a 5.6 percentage point fall, right as the manufacturer warranty runs out. At 10 years it's down to 72.8%. With an average repair bill of £148 when things go wrong, an extended warranty can make sense on a Vito that's past its third birthday.
Fuel type matters
Electric versions pass at 86.1% while Petrol versions pass at 69.9%, a 16 percentage point gap.
Mercedes-Benz Vito on UK roads
The fleet is growing: 4,444 newly registered in the past year with 3,698 leaving, a net gain of 746. Currently at its highest numbers ever.
Quarterly breakdown
| Quarter | On road | SORN | New | Gone | Net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Q3 | 94,565 | 13,947 | +983 | -1,049 | -66 |
| 2025 Q2 | 94,803 | 13,775 | +911 | -760 | +151 |
| 2025 Q1 | 94,663 | 13,764 | +1,414 | -779 | +635 |
| 2024 Q4 | 94,418 | 13,374 | +1,136 | -1,110 | +26 |
| 2024 Q3 | 94,923 | 12,843 | +1,022 | -1,081 | -59 |
| 2024 Q2 | 95,143 | 12,682 | +1,063 | -1,113 | -50 |
| 2024 Q1 | 95,341 | 12,534 | +1,157 | -915 | +242 |
| 2023 Q4 | 95,387 | 12,246 | +1,218 | -1,078 | +140 |
20 variants on the road
| Variant | Fuel | Licensed | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vito 111 Cdi | Diesel | 7,477 | 12% |
| Vito 114 Bluetec | Diesel | 6,700 | 11% |
| Vito 113 Cdi | Diesel | 5,659 | 9% |
| Vito 109 Cdi Compact | Diesel | 3,589 | 6% |
| Vito 111 Cdi Long | Diesel | 3,519 | 6% |
| Vito 114 Progressive Cdi Auto | Diesel | 3,185 | 5% |
| Vito 114 Progressive Cdi | Diesel | 2,853 | 5% |
| Vito 119 Sport Bluetec Auto | Diesel | 2,847 | 5% |
| Vito 116 Cdi Dualiner | Diesel | 2,704 | 4% |
| Vito 109 Cdi Long | Petrol | 2,641 | 4% |
| Evito 66 Progressive | Battery Electric | 2,416 | 4% |
| Vito 114 Bluetec Tourer Pro | Diesel | 2,400 | 4% |
| Vito 111 Cdi Compact | Diesel | 2,239 | 4% |
| Vito 116 Premium Cdi Auto | Diesel | 2,146 | 4% |
| Vito 116 Sport Bluetec | Diesel | 2,056 | 3% |
| Vito 116 Bluetec | Diesel | 1,677 | 3% |
| Vito 115 Cdi Long | Diesel | 1,618 | 3% |
| Vito 119 Premium Cdi Auto | Diesel | 1,594 | 3% |
| Vito 109 Cdi | Diesel | 1,561 | 3% |
| Vito 114 Pro Cdi | Diesel | 1,535 | 3% |
Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics, 2025 Q3. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 93.1% | a tyre has a lump, bulge or tear caused by separation or partial failure of its structure. this includes any lifting of the tread rubber, wiper blade defective |
| 2022 | 87.4% | tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage |
| 2021 | 85% | a tyre seriously damaged, wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen |
| 2020 | 82.4% | wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen, a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm |
23 earlier years
| 2019 | 80% | a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement |
| 2018 | 79.8% | a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, engine mil illuminated indicating a malfunction |
| 2017 | 77.5% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened |
| 2016 | 76.8% | a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn |
| 2015 | 75.1% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened |
| 2014 | 73.3% | parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn |
| 2013 | 72.8% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement |
| 2012 | 71.3% | parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn |
| 2011 | 71.1% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement |
| 2010 | 70.4% | parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn |
| 2009 | 70.1% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc |
| 2008 | 68.4% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc |
| 2007 | 67.2% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded |
| 2006 | 66.5% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn |
| 2005 | 64.2% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced |
| 2004 | 64% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced |
| 2003 | 64.8% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced |
| 2002 | 64.6% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced |
| 2001 | 65% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced |
| 2000 | 69.5% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc |
| 1999 | 65% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc |
| 1998 | 61.3% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc |
| 1997 | 64.8% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, a direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning |
Typical mileage
Half of all Vitos tested had between 72,349 and 158,344 miles on the clock. A significant number are high-mileage vehicles.
At 128,658 median miles, the Vito has 0.02 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other Mercedes-Benz models
Common questions
What is the Mercedes-Benz Vito MOT pass rate?
The Mercedes-Benz Vito has a 74.6% MOT pass rate based on 151,914 real MOT tests. This is around the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Mercedes-Benz Vito?
The most common MOT failure on the Mercedes-Benz Vito is a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, which caused 4,618 failures. Other common issues include parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement.
How many Mercedes-Benz Vitos are on UK roads?
There are 94,565 Mercedes-Benz Vitos currently licensed on UK roads, with 13,947 on SORN.
What is the typical mileage of a Mercedes-Benz Vito at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Mercedes-Benz Vito is 128,658 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 72,349 and 158,344 miles.
Buying a used Vito?
Start with the free tools. Look up the specific vehicle's MOT history on GOV.UK The mileage at each test will show if it's been wound back, and the advisory history tells you what's wearing. Cross-reference that against the typical failures above to see if anything looks unusual for this model.
The free data won't tell you about outstanding finance, theft markers, or write-off history. For that, you need a vehicle history check This is especially important on a private sale where you have fewer legal protections.
With a 74.6% pass rate and an average repair bill of £148 when things go wrong, budget accordingly. 37.3% of failures on this model could actually strand you, so breakdown cover may be worth considering.
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MOT data from DVSA anonymised test results, 2024 test year. Fleet data from DfT vehicle licensing statistics. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0. MOT pass rates are statistical summaries of test outcomes, not assessments of individual vehicle safety or condition. Always inspect a vehicle and check its full MOT history before purchasing. See terms of use.