2021 Mercedes-Benz Eqc 400 4Matic — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2021 Mercedes-Benz Eqc 400 4Matic passed 90.0% of its 3,782 recorded MOT tests. Against all cars of a similar age (8.6% fail rate), the 2021 Eqc 400 4Matic comes out 1.4pp worse. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: tyres, recorded in 8.2% of tests against 1.7% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, ball joint and wipers — headlamp aim alone was recorded 71 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 8.3% in the 0-30k band and 16.1% in the 90-120k band, a 7.8-point spread.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 27.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 6.0% of tests failed in 2023 against 9.6% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 8.2% | 311 |
| 2 | Visibility | 1.7% | 63 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.4% | 53 |
| 4 | Suspension | 1.1% | 41 |
| 5 | Other defects | 0.4% | 16 |
| 6 | Brakes | 0.2% | 8 |
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 | 71 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 46 |
| 3 | Wipers | 43 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 34 |
| 5 | Washers | 25 |
| 6 | Registration plates | 25 |
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 | 27.7% | 1,047 |
| 2 | Other defects | 5.2% | 197 |
| 3 | Suspension | 3.9% | 147 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.5% | 131 |
| 5 | Brakes | 3.3% | 123 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.4% | 17 |
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 | 1,317 | 8.3% |
| 30-60k | 2,132 | 10.7% |
| 60-90k | 298 | 13.1% |
| 90-120k | 31 | 16.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 83 | 6.0% |
| 2024 | 1,873 | 10.7% |
| 2025 | 1,826 | 9.6% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Eqc 400 4Matic
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 8.2% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (8.2% 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 (1.7% 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 (1.4% 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 Eqc 400 4Matics pass their MOT?
90.0% of the 3,782 2021 Mercedes-Benz Eqc 400 4Matic MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 10.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Mercedes-Benz Eqc 400 4Matic?
Tyres, recorded in 8.2% of tests, followed by visibility (1.7%).
Does the 2021 Eqc 400 4Matic get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.3% in the 0-30k band to 16.1% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,782 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.