2012 Mercedes-Benz 220 — MOT failures & pass rate
250 MOT tests on the 2012 Mercedes-Benz 220 are in this dataset, and 76.0% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 21.9% of the time, so this is 2.1pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in brakes, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (13.6%) and suspension (12.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are rigid brake pipes, service brake performance and tread depth — rigid brake pipes alone was recorded 15 times.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 29.6% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 14.0% of tests failed in 2021 against 30.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 13.6% | 34 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.4% | 31 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 6.4% | 16 |
| 4 | Tyres | 6.4% | 16 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 3.2% | 8 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 1.6% | 4 |
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 | 15 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 11 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 11 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 10 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 9 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 9 |
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 | 29.6% | 74 |
| 2 | Tyres | 22.4% | 56 |
| 3 | Suspension | 20.4% | 51 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 8.0% | 20 |
| 5 | Other defects | 4.8% | 12 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 2.4% | 6 |
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 | 71 | 16.9% |
| 90-120k | 87 | 32.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 43 | 14.0% |
| 2022 | 48 | 25.0% |
| 2023 | 56 | 30.4% |
| 2024 | 51 | 17.6% |
| 2025 | 52 | 30.8% |
What to check before buying a 2012 220
On a 2012 220, brakes is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Brakes (13.6% 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.
- Suspension (12.4% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (6.4% 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 2012 Mercedes-Benz 220s pass their MOT?
76.0% of the 250 2012 Mercedes-Benz 220 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Mercedes-Benz 220?
Brakes, recorded in 13.6% of tests, followed by suspension (12.4%).
Does the 2012 220 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.9% in the 60-90k band to 32.2% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 250 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.