2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 315 Progressive — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 343 MOT tests, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 315 Progressive recorded an 84.0% pass rate. That is 7.5 percentage points worse than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 8.5%. Failures cluster in brakes, lighting & signalling and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: brakes, recorded in 9.6% of tests against 6.4% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are rbt (sp), wipers and headlamp aim — rbt (sp) alone was recorded 17 times.
A 90-120k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 11.1% versus 16.4%.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 15.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 9.6% | 33 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 6.4% | 22 |
| 3 | Tyres | 4.4% | 15 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.1% | 14 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 2.0% | 7 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 1.5% | 5 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rbt (sp) | 17 |
| 2 | Wipers | 11 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 9 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 8 |
| 5 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 7 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 7 |
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 | 15.2% | 52 |
| 2 | Tyres | 12.8% | 44 |
| 3 | Visibility | 5.5% | 19 |
| 4 | Other defects | 5.3% | 18 |
| 5 | Suspension | 4.1% | 14 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 2.9% | 10 |
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 | 55 | 16.4% |
| 30-60k | 107 | 11.2% |
| 60-90k | 93 | 19.4% |
| 90-120k | 45 | 11.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 164 | 17.1% |
| 2025 | 159 | 15.1% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Sprinter 315 Progressive
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: brakes accounted for 9.6% of tests. Start there.
- Brakes (9.6% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (6.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (4.4% 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.
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 Sprinter 315 Progressives pass their MOT?
84.0% of the 343 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 315 Progressive MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 16.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 315 Progressive?
Brakes, recorded in 9.6% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (6.4%).
Does the 2021 Sprinter 315 Progressive get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.4% in the 0-30k band to 11.1% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 343 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.