2007 Mercedes-Benz 320 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 538 MOT tests analysed for the 2007 Mercedes-Benz 320, the most common recorded failure areas were brakes, suspension and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 77.7% was above the average for cars of a similar age (74.7%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 10.2% | 55 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.2% | 55 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 9.5% | 51 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 4.8% | 26 |
| 5 | Tyres | 4.1% | 22 |
| 6 | Steering | 2.8% | 15 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 31 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 30 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 27 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 21 |
| 5 | Rbt (sp) | 18 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 17 |
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 | 35.5% | 191 |
| 2 | Tyres | 27.0% | 145 |
| 3 | Suspension | 25.3% | 136 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 16.2% | 87 |
| 5 | Other defects | 9.1% | 49 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 8.0% | 43 |
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 | 83 | 21.7% |
| 90-120k | 120 | 20.0% |
| 120-150k | 184 | 25.5% |
| 150k+ | 141 | 21.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 136 | 23.5% |
| 2022 | 134 | 23.1% |
| 2023 | 105 | 22.9% |
| 2024 | 88 | 18.2% |
| 2025 | 75 | 22.7% |
What to check before buying a 2007 320
Before buying a 2007 Mercedes-Benz 320, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Brakes accounted for 10.2% of tests for this year.
- Brakes (10.2% 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.
- Suspension (10.2% 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 (9.5% 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 320s pass their MOT?
77.7% of the 538 2007 Mercedes-Benz 320 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Mercedes-Benz 320?
Brakes, recorded in 10.2% of tests, followed by suspension (10.2%).
Does the 2007 320 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.7% in the 60-90k band to 21.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 538 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.