2021 Mercedes-Benz Eqc 400 + 4M — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 5,467 MOT tests, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz Eqc 400 + 4M recorded an 85.6% pass rate. That is 5.8 percentage points worse than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 8.6%. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
Tyres dominates the failure mix at 12.1% of all tests — 10.5 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are ball joint, headlamp aim and registration plates — ball joint alone was recorded 102 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2021 Eqc 400 + 4M fails 15.0% of the time in the 0-30k band and 16.1% at 60-90k, a spread of only 1.0 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 24.2% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 11.5% of tests failed in 2023 against 13.2% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 12.1% | 663 |
| 2 | Suspension | 1.7% | 92 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.3% | 71 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 1.1% | 60 |
| 5 | Other defects | 0.7% | 36 |
| 6 | Brakes | 0.3% | 17 |
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 | 102 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 78 |
| 3 | Registration plates | 57 |
| 4 | Wipers | 50 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 32 |
| 6 | Washers | 24 |
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 | 24.2% | 1,321 |
| 2 | Other defects | 5.5% | 300 |
| 3 | Brakes | 4.0% | 217 |
| 4 | Suspension | 3.6% | 199 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.5% | 191 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.8% | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 2,567 | 15.0% |
| 30-60k | 2,582 | 13.5% |
| 60-90k | 286 | 16.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 78 | 11.5% |
| 2024 | 2,718 | 15.7% |
| 2025 | 2,669 | 13.2% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Eqc 400 + 4M
On a 2021 Eqc 400 + 4M, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 12.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (12.1% 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.
- Visibility (1.3% 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.
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 Eqc 400 + 4Ms pass their MOT?
85.6% of the 5,467 2021 Mercedes-Benz Eqc 400 + 4M MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 14.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Mercedes-Benz Eqc 400 + 4M?
Tyres, recorded in 12.1% of tests, followed by suspension (1.7%).
Does the 2021 Eqc 400 + 4M get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.0% in the 0-30k band to 16.1% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,467 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.