2006 Mercedes-Benz 320 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 445 MOT tests, the 2006 Mercedes-Benz 320 recorded a 77.1% pass rate. That is 4.4 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 27.3%. Failures cluster in suspension, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (10.1%) and brakes (9.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are ball joint, headlamp aim and rigid brake pipes — ball joint alone was recorded 33 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2006 320 fails 22.1% of the time in the 60-90k band and 20.8% at 150k+, a spread of only 1.3 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 36.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 20.9% of tests failed in 2021 against 25.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 10.1% | 45 |
| 2 | Brakes | 9.7% | 43 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 9.7% | 43 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.4% | 24 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 3.6% | 16 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.9% | 13 |
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 | Headlamp aim | 24 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 23 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 18 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 15 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 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 | 36.4% | 162 |
| 2 | Tyres | 22.9% | 102 |
| 3 | Suspension | 22.0% | 98 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 15.7% | 70 |
| 5 | Other defects | 10.3% | 46 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.8% | 26 |
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 | 68 | 22.1% |
| 90-120k | 108 | 19.4% |
| 120-150k | 124 | 27.4% |
| 150k+ | 130 | 20.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 105 | 20.9% |
| 2022 | 111 | 21.6% |
| 2023 | 91 | 20.9% |
| 2024 | 79 | 27.9% |
| 2025 | 59 | 25.4% |
What to check before buying a 2006 320
On a 2006 320, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 10.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (10.1% 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 (9.7% 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 (9.7% 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 2006 Mercedes-Benz 320s pass their MOT?
77.1% of the 445 2006 Mercedes-Benz 320 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Mercedes-Benz 320?
Suspension, recorded in 10.1% of tests, followed by brakes (9.7%).
Does the 2006 320 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.1% in the 60-90k band to 20.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 445 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.