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Mercedes-Benz V-Class reliability by build year

Coverage 2015-present1 named generationMPVDIESEL / PETROL
At a glance

Mercedes-Benz V-Class built around 2018: fails its MOT less often than average

Mercedes-Benz V-Class models built around 2018 fail their MOT less often than similar cars the same age.

Check a Mercedes-Benz V-Class by number plate

Key figure

16% of MOT tests on Mercedes-Benz V-Class models built around 2018 ended in a fail (retests included), against 22% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Mercedes-Benz V-Class models built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Mercedes-Benz V-Class's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

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.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your V-Class's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

V-Class W447

W447 (2015-present)

Average
DIESEL

16.3% fail rate, built around 2018 (7 years old)

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

From 2,808 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Pre

Older models (before 2005)

DIESELPETROL

33.3% fail rate, built before 2000 (over 25 years old)

Likely between 26.5% and 41.0%

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 1 in 4 MOTs, 25.2%)

From 159 MOT tests at this ageLimited data

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Mercedes-Benz V-Class.

See every build year for the Mercedes-Benz V-Class

Side-by-side

Mercedes-Benz V-Class generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
W447 (2015-present)
Average
Average16.3%built around 2018 (7 years old)from 2,808 MOT tests at this age
Older models (before 2005)
No rating
No rating33.3%likely between 26.5% and 41.0%built before 2000 (over 25 years old)from 159 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the V-Class, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

Mercedes-Benz V-Class fail rate by age

This chart combines every Mercedes-Benz V-Class ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
15011.3%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
22911.3%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
1,29512.5%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
3,09215.3%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
2,80816.3%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
2,45017.1%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
1,77817.5%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
52016.2%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
5115.7%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
5026.0%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
10735.5%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
8732.2%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
15933.3%

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 22 years old.

Where it ranks

Where the Mercedes-Benz V-Class stacks up

Three ways to compare the same cars, built around 2018 (7 years old). The fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests, and 1st has the lowest fail rate. Only models with at least 500 MOT tests at this age are ranked. How we count fail rates

Against other Mercedes-Benz models

12th of 15

12th lowest fail rate of 15 Mercedes-Benz models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

Close to the middle third

Against other people carriers

6th of 33

6th lowest fail rate of 33 people carriers with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

Close to the middle third

Against the UK average

16.3%

The share of this model's MOT tests at this age that ended in a fail.

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 7-year-old Mercedes-Benz V-Class models

These issues come from 7-year-old Mercedes-Benz V-Class models, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common advisories and fails

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

  1. 1
    Advisory

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

    17.6%
    Advisory: 721Fail: 63 (8% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    5.8%
    Advisory: 168Fail: 39 (19% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

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

    5.0%
    Advisory: 93Fail: 89 (49% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

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

    4.9%
    Advisory: 181Fail: 4 (2% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Coil spring corroded

    4.7%
    Advisory: 15Fail: 145 (91% of the times it was found)

Based on 2,808 MOT tests on 7-year-old Mercedes-Benz V-Class models, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 7-year-old Mercedes-Benz V-Class models notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelEnough data
  1. Brakes + Tyres30%
  2. Suspension + Tyres28%
  3. Brakes + Suspension19%
  4. Other + Tyres14%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 564 MOT tests on Mercedes-Benz V-Class cars built around 2018 (7 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

84%of this model's cars first registered in 2015 were still registered 10 years later

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · Fewer than typical

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.

Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).

Recall context

38 recalls in all

32 of the 38 Mercedes-Benz V-Class recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 1 Critical
  • 31 more

Top concerns

  • Electrical wiring in steering assembly may be insufficiently grounded
  • SRPC2420 – fastening of steering wheel height adjustment
  • On affected vehicles the routing of the fuel filter drainpipe might not meet specifications. The drainpipe could come i

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

Like-for-like

Other people carriers to compare

Other people carriers to compare

  1. 1

    Kia Venga

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    11.8%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.7%
    Dangerous
    3.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96.8%

    Lower fail rate: 11.8%, against 16.3% for the Mercedes-Benz V-Class, both built around 2018.

    5,255 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Hyundai ix20

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1%
    Dangerous
    4.5%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.4%

    Lower fail rate: 12.5%, against 16.3% for the Mercedes-Benz V-Class, both built around 2018.

    3,239 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Toyota Estima

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    17.7%

    No clear edge over the Mercedes-Benz V-Class on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    1,057 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Ford B-MAX

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    23.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.8%
    Dangerous
    3.9%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96.2%

    Fewer fails still not passed 3 days later: 1.8%, against 4.3% for the Mercedes-Benz V-Class.

    3,338 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

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.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the Mercedes-Benz V-Class across all generations combined fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. It has the 12th lowest fail rate of 15 Mercedes-Benz models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age. This is based on 2,808 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Mercedes-Benz V-Class ever sold: 12,776 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 2,808 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.