2021 Mercedes-Benz Eqa 250+ — MOT failures & pass rate
9,481 MOT tests on the 2021 Mercedes-Benz Eqa 250+ are in this dataset, and 91.7% of them passed. That is effectively the same as all cars of a similar age (8.6% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: tyres, recorded in 6.8% of tests against 1.6% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, wipers and headlamp aim — tread depth alone was recorded 212 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2021 Eqa 250+ fails 6.6% of the time in the 0-30k band and 3.2% at 90-120k, a spread of only 3.4 points.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 27.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 1.1% of tests failed in 2023 against 7.3% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.8% | 642 |
| 2 | Visibility | 1.6% | 148 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 0.9% | 82 |
| 4 | Suspension | 0.5% | 46 |
| 5 | Other defects | 0.3% | 25 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.2% | 18 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 212 |
| 2 | Wipers | 120 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 96 |
| 4 | Washers | 42 |
| 5 | Registration plates | 37 |
| 6 | Linkage ball joints | 27 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 27.6% | 2,619 |
| 2 | Other defects | 5.5% | 520 |
| 3 | Visibility | 3.5% | 334 |
| 4 | Suspension | 1.5% | 141 |
| 5 | Brakes | 1.2% | 110 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.4% | 33 |
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 | 5,359 | 6.6% |
| 30-60k | 3,676 | 10.4% |
| 60-90k | 407 | 12.0% |
| 90-120k | 31 | 3.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 94 | 1.1% |
| 2024 | 4,778 | 9.5% |
| 2025 | 4,599 | 7.3% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Eqa 250+
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 6.8% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (6.8% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Visibility (1.6% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Lighting & signalling (0.9% 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 2021 Mercedes-Benz Eqa 250+s pass their MOT?
91.7% of the 9,481 2021 Mercedes-Benz Eqa 250+ MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Mercedes-Benz Eqa 250+?
Tyres, recorded in 6.8% of tests, followed by visibility (1.6%).
Does the 2021 Eqa 250+ get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.6% in the 0-30k band to 3.2% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 9,481 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.