Mercedes-Benz Eqc 400 + 4M MOT pass rate & common failures
Across 5 model years and 14,025 tests, the Mercedes-Benz Eqc 400 + 4M passes its MOT 85.4% of the time. Against all cars of a similar age (8.7% fail rate), the Eqc 400 + 4M comes out 6.0pp worse. Its most common failure areas are tyres, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: tyres, recorded in 12.4% of tests against 1.7% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are ball joint, headlamp aim and registration plates — ball joint alone was recorded 250 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the Eqc 400 + 4M fails 14.4% of the time in the 0-30k band and 16.7% at 90-120k, a spread of only 2.2 points.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 24.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 6.1% of tests failed in 2022 against 14.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
By model year
Every Eqc 400 + 4M model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 142 | 89.4% | 10.6% | Tyres |
| 2020 | 3,779 | 85.6% | 14.4% | Tyres |
| 2021 | 5,467 | 85.6% | 14.4% | Tyres |
| 2022 | 4,523 | 84.8% | 15.2% | Tyres |
| 2023 | 114 | 86.8% | 13.2% | Tyres |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 12.4% | 1,738 |
| 2 | Suspension | 1.7% | 232 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.1% | 157 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.1% | 153 |
| 5 | Other defects | 0.6% | 87 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.4% | 56 |
| 7 | Brakes | 0.4% | 52 |
| 8 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.1% | 15 |
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 | 250 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 210 |
| 3 | Registration plates | 139 |
| 4 | Wipers | 99 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 82 |
| 6 | Washers | 59 |
| 7 | Size/type | 28 |
| 8 | Tyre pressure monitoring system | 22 |
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 | 24.9% | 3,495 |
| 2 | Other defects | 5.9% | 827 |
| 3 | Brakes | 4.7% | 656 |
| 4 | Suspension | 3.9% | 544 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.3% | 468 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.6% | 88 |
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 | 6,978 | 14.4% |
| 30-60k | 6,221 | 14.3% |
| 60-90k | 760 | 18.7% |
| 90-120k | 60 | 16.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 49 | 6.1% |
| 2023 | 1,348 | 13.7% |
| 2024 | 4,201 | 15.5% |
| 2025 | 8,422 | 14.4% |
What to check before buying a Mercedes-Benz Eqc 400 + 4M
- Tyres (12.4% 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.
- Suspension (1.7% 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 (1.1% 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
What is the MOT pass rate for the Mercedes-Benz Eqc 400 + 4M?
85.4% of the 14,025 Mercedes-Benz Eqc 400 + 4M MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 14.6% fail rate, across model years 2019–2023.
What does the Mercedes-Benz Eqc 400 + 4M most often fail its MOT on?
Tyres, recorded in 12.4% of tests, then suspension (1.7%).
How much does mileage affect Eqc 400 + 4M MOT results?
Fail rates run at 14.4% for cars in the 0-30k band and 16.7% for 90-120k, a 2.2-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 14,025 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.