2006 Mercedes-Benz 220 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 260 MOT tests, the 2006 Mercedes-Benz 220 recorded a 74.6% pass rate. Against all cars of a similar age (27.3% fail rate), the 2006 220 comes out 1.9pp better. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: suspension, recorded in 18.9% of tests against 11.5% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are ball joint, rigid brake pipes and coil spring — ball joint alone was recorded 33 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 60-90k one: 23.1% versus 28.1%.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 41.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 18.9% | 49 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 11.5% | 30 |
| 3 | Brakes | 11.2% | 29 |
| 4 | Tyres | 6.2% | 16 |
| 5 | Steering | 5.4% | 14 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.4% | 14 |
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 | 33 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 24 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 18 |
| 4 | Pins and bushes | 13 |
| 5 | Track rod end | 12 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 11 |
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 | 41.1% | 107 |
| 2 | Suspension | 39.2% | 102 |
| 3 | Tyres | 25.0% | 65 |
| 4 | Other defects | 12.7% | 33 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.7% | 20 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 7.7% | 20 |
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 | 32 | 28.1% |
| 90-120k | 77 | 22.1% |
| 120-150k | 61 | 32.8% |
| 150k+ | 78 | 23.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 70 | 25.7% |
| 2022 | 57 | 22.8% |
| 2023 | 52 | 26.9% |
| 2024 | 45 | 26.7% |
| 2025 | 36 | 25.0% |
What to check before buying a 2006 220
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 18.9% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (18.9% 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 (11.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (11.2% 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 2006 Mercedes-Benz 220s pass their MOT?
74.6% of the 260 2006 Mercedes-Benz 220 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Mercedes-Benz 220?
Suspension, recorded in 18.9% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (11.5%).
Does the 2006 220 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 28.1% in the 60-90k band to 23.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 260 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.