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Mercedes-Benz B-Class W245 (2005-2011) reliability

At a glance

Mercedes-Benz B-Class W245 built around 2011: about average at the MOT

Mercedes-Benz B-Class W245 models built around 2011 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Looking at a Mercedes-Benz B-Class W245?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

30% of MOT tests on Mercedes-Benz B-Class W245 models built around 2011 ended in a fail (retests included), against 30% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Mercedes-Benz B-Class W245 models built around 2011 involves the brakes.

Mercedes-Benz B-Class W245
No reliability rating: too close to call between ratings2005-2011MPVPETROL / DIESEL

Based on 26,386 tests of B-Class models registered 2005-2011.

About 1 in 15 B-Class W245 MOTs (7.2%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2011 (14 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 5,887 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 15 B-Class W245 MOTs (7%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2011 (14 years old).

Based on 5,887 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

W245 fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
1,44130.7%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
5,88729.9%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
6,11730.4%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
4,86230.9%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
3,63931.5%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
2,80232.5%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
1,55331.4%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
8529.4%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 18 years old.

How the B-Class W245 compares

At each age below, see how the B-Class W245 holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 61,232 tests across 14 Mercedes-Benz models, built around 2011 (14 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateMercedes-Benz average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
1,44130.7%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
5,88729.9%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
6,11730.4%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
4,86230.9%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
3,63931.5%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
2,80232.5%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
1,55331.4%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
8529.4%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can ask about or look for.

Brake pipes and hoses

High priority

Look under the car for corrosion or chafing on the rigid brake pipes near the rear axle.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

Other people carriers to compare

Other people carriers, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the B-Class W245.

  1. 1

    Toyota Estima

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    21.4%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    4.6%
    Dangerous
    4.8%

    Lower fail rate: 21.4%, against 29.9% for the Mercedes-Benz B-Class W245, both built around 2011.

    1,894 MOT tests on cars built around 2011

  2. 2

    Toyota Verso

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    26.8%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    4.5%
    Dangerous
    5.9%
    Still registered at 10 years
    90%

    Lower fail rate: 26.8%, against 29.9% for the Mercedes-Benz B-Class W245, both built around 2011.

    4,570 MOT tests on cars built around 2011

  3. 3

    Skoda Roomster

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    27.1%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    5.5%
    Dangerous
    6%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96.4%

    Lower fail rate: 27.1%, against 29.9% for the Mercedes-Benz B-Class W245, both built around 2011.

    1,788 MOT tests on cars built around 2011

  4. 4

    Volkswagen Touran

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    27.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    5.4%
    Dangerous
    8.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    92.6%

    Lower fail rate: 27.3%, against 29.9% for the Mercedes-Benz B-Class W245, both built around 2011.

    7,017 MOT tests on cars built around 2011

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

How many are still registered

Not enough registration data to show this for the Mercedes-Benz B-Class.

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Recall context

65 recalls in all

6 of the 65 B-Class W245 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 2 Critical
  • 4 more

Top concerns

  • Electrical wiring in steering assembly may be insufficiently grounded
  • Steering components may be insufficiently grounded
  • Vacuum line brake booster may break

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

How B-Class W245 cars have aged

How B-Class W245 cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

0%10%20%30%101214161820Age at MOTBuilt around 2011, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 26.1% (3,820 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2011, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 26.9% (3,751 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2011, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 28.6% (3,700 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2011, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 29.9% (3,556 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2011, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 29.2% (3,287 tests, 2025 data)2011Built around 2010, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 26.8% (4,130 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2010, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 27.6% (4,048 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2010, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 28.7% (3,909 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2010, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 30.1% (3,697 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2010, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 29.9% (3,412 tests, 2025 data)2010Built around 2009, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 28.9% (3,923 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2009, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 28.5% (3,737 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2009, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 30.4% (3,559 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2009, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 31.0% (3,232 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2009, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 29.8% (2,857 tests, 2025 data)2009Built around 2008, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 29.6% (3,464 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2008, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 31.3% (3,398 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2008, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 31.2% (2,999 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2008, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 31.7% (2,699 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2008, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 31.7% (2,326 tests, 2025 data)2008Built around 2007, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 30.2% (3,142 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2007, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 30.8% (2,941 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2007, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 31.9% (2,608 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2007, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 32.9% (2,216 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2007, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 32.7% (1,791 tests, 2025 data)2007Built around 2006, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 31.4% (2,759 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2006, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 31.5% (2,330 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2006, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 30.3% (1,885 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2006, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 31.7% (1,604 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2006, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 31.0% (1,223 tests, 2025 data)2006Built around 2005, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 28.8% (365 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2005, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 30.6% (294 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2005, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 29.3% (229 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2005, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 35.2% (176 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2005, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 29.4% (85 tests, 2025 data)2005
First registered around 2011First registered around 2010First registered around 2009First registered around 2008
W245 variants compared

B-Class W245 variants built around 2011

The fail rate for each B-Class W245 variant, grouped by fuel. Each row counts fails per MOT test, the same way as the main fail rate chart.

Petrol

  • B-CLASS29.2%3,061 tests

Diesel

  • B-CLASS30.7%2,763 tests
All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common issues on Mercedes-Benz B-Class models of this age

This list covers every Mercedes-Benz B-Class built around 2011, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the W245 on its own.

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Brake pipe corroded or covered in grease

    22.6%
    Advisory: 1,886Fail: 195 (9% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    16.3%
    Advisory: 1,134Fail: 215 (16% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    16.2%
    Advisory: 1,180Fail: 97 (8% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    14.2%
    Advisory: 1,086Fail: 15 (1% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    11.0%
    Advisory: 549Fail: 266 (33% of the times it was found)

Based on 5,887 tests

Looking at a Mercedes-Benz B-Class W245?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2011 (14 years old), the Mercedes-Benz B-Class W245 (2005-2011) fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. This is based on 5,887 14-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 26,386 MOT tests on Mercedes-Benz B-Class models first registered between 2005-2011. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.