2007 Mercedes-Benz 220 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2007 Mercedes-Benz 220 passed 71.7% of its 368 recorded MOT tests. That is 1.4 percentage points worse than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 26.8%. Failures cluster in suspension, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
Suspension dominates the failure mix at 17.4% of all tests — 3.5 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are rigid brake pipes, ball joint and pins and bushes — rigid brake pipes alone was recorded 40 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 22.5% of 60-90k cars fail, rising to 28.4% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 42.9% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 17.4% | 64 |
| 2 | Brakes | 13.9% | 51 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 10.9% | 40 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.7% | 21 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.3% | 12 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.5% | 9 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rigid brake pipes | 40 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 32 |
| 3 | Pins and bushes | 21 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 16 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 15 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 15 |
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 | 42.9% | 158 |
| 2 | Suspension | 40.8% | 150 |
| 3 | Tyres | 26.9% | 99 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 9.0% | 33 |
| 5 | Other defects | 8.2% | 30 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.2% | 19 |
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 | 40 | 22.5% |
| 90-120k | 104 | 26.9% |
| 120-150k | 98 | 33.7% |
| 150k+ | 116 | 28.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 96 | 31.3% |
| 2022 | 72 | 20.8% |
| 2023 | 79 | 27.9% |
| 2024 | 61 | 31.1% |
| 2025 | 60 | 30.0% |
What to check before buying a 2007 220
On a 2007 220, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 17.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (17.4% 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.
- Brakes (13.9% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (10.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 2007 Mercedes-Benz 220s pass their MOT?
71.7% of the 368 2007 Mercedes-Benz 220 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Mercedes-Benz 220?
Suspension, recorded in 17.4% of tests, followed by brakes (13.9%).
Does the 2007 220 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.5% in the 60-90k band to 28.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 368 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.