2009 Mercedes-Benz 220 — MOT failures & pass rate
366 MOT tests on the 2009 Mercedes-Benz 220 are in this dataset, and 74.9% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail at 25.4%, so the 2009 220 sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in suspension, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
Suspension dominates the failure mix at 15.6% of all tests — 3.6 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are ball joint, rigid brake pipes and coil spring — ball joint alone was recorded 35 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2009 220 fails 24.2% of the time in the 60-90k band and 26.2% at 150k+, a spread of only 2.0 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 33.9% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 25.3% of tests failed in 2021 against 32.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 15.6% | 57 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.0% | 44 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 8.2% | 30 |
| 4 | Tyres | 6.8% | 25 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.1% | 15 |
| 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 | Ball joint | 35 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 32 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 28 |
| 4 | Rbt (sp) | 20 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 16 |
| 6 | Washers | 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 | 33.9% | 124 |
| 2 | Tyres | 28.1% | 103 |
| 3 | Suspension | 27.9% | 102 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 9.6% | 35 |
| 5 | Other defects | 8.7% | 32 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.9% | 18 |
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 | 95 | 24.2% |
| 90-120k | 144 | 27.8% |
| 120-150k | 64 | 26.6% |
| 150k+ | 42 | 26.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 79 | 25.3% |
| 2022 | 76 | 21.1% |
| 2023 | 74 | 24.3% |
| 2024 | 64 | 21.9% |
| 2025 | 73 | 32.9% |
What to check before buying a 2009 220
On a 2009 220, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 15.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (15.6% 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 (12.0% 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 (8.2% 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 2009 Mercedes-Benz 220s pass their MOT?
74.9% of the 366 2009 Mercedes-Benz 220 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Mercedes-Benz 220?
Suspension, recorded in 15.6% of tests, followed by brakes (12.0%).
Does the 2009 220 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 24.2% in the 60-90k band to 26.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 366 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.