2005 Mercedes-Benz 220 — MOT failures & pass rate
332 MOT tests on the 2005 Mercedes-Benz 220 are in this dataset, and 72.0% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail at 27.6%, so the 2005 220 sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Suspension dominates the failure mix at 16.9% of all tests — 3.3 points clear of lighting & signalling, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are ball joint, rigid brake pipes and tread depth — ball joint alone was recorded 36 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2005 220 fails 30.2% of the time in the 60-90k band and 28.9% at 150k+, a spread of only 1.4 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 42.8% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 30.4% in 2021 to 18.8% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 16.9% | 56 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 13.6% | 45 |
| 3 | Brakes | 10.2% | 34 |
| 4 | Tyres | 8.7% | 29 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.3% | 21 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.3% | 11 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ball joint | 36 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 22 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 22 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 19 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 18 |
| 6 | Wipers | 13 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 42.8% | 142 |
| 2 | Suspension | 36.4% | 121 |
| 3 | Tyres | 27.1% | 90 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 17.5% | 58 |
| 5 | Other defects | 10.8% | 36 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 7.2% | 24 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 43 | 30.2% |
| 90-120k | 47 | 23.4% |
| 120-150k | 85 | 31.8% |
| 150k+ | 142 | 28.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 92 | 30.4% |
| 2022 | 88 | 31.8% |
| 2023 | 67 | 26.9% |
| 2024 | 53 | 24.5% |
| 2025 | 32 | 18.8% |
What to check before buying a 2005 220
On a 2005 220, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (16.9% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Lighting & signalling (13.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (10.2% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2005 Mercedes-Benz 220s pass their MOT?
72.0% of the 332 2005 Mercedes-Benz 220 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Mercedes-Benz 220?
Suspension, recorded in 16.9% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (13.6%).
Does the 2005 220 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 30.2% in the 60-90k band to 28.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 332 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.