2006 Mercedes-Benz B-Class — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 16,266 MOT tests analysed for the 2006 Mercedes-Benz B-Class, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension. Its pass rate of 72.6% was above the average for MPVs of a similar age (70.0%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 33.6% in the 150k+ group versus 18.1% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.6% | 2,383 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.4% | 1,856 |
| 3 | Suspension | 11.1% | 1,798 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.8% | 1,593 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.4% | 1,212 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.0% | 806 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joints | 1,675 |
| 2 | Washers | 1,019 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 1,006 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 865 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 673 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 670 |
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 | 41.8% | 6,797 |
| 2 | Tyres | 27.2% | 4,417 |
| 3 | Suspension | 22.5% | 3,653 |
| 4 | Other defects | 17.3% | 2,816 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.2% | 2,478 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 9.3% | 1,510 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 144 | 18.1% |
| 30-60k | 1,496 | 20.6% |
| 60-90k | 4,766 | 25.9% |
| 90-120k | 5,656 | 28.3% |
| 120-150k | 2,923 | 29.1% |
| 150k+ | 1,222 | 33.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 9,148 | 25.7% |
| Diesel | 7,118 | 29.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,372 | 27.1% |
| 2022 | 3,815 | 27.0% |
| 2023 | 3,247 | 27.6% |
| 2024 | 2,728 | 28.2% |
| 2025 | 2,104 | 27.3% |
What to check before buying a 2006 B-Class
Before buying a 2006 Mercedes-Benz B-Class, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 14.6% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (14.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (11.4% 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 (11.1% 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.
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 B-Classs pass their MOT?
72.6% of the 16,266 2006 Mercedes-Benz B-Class MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Mercedes-Benz B-Class?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.6% of tests, followed by brakes (11.4%).
Does the 2006 B-Class get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.1% in the 0-30k band to 33.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 16,266 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.