1998 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter — MOT failures & pass rate
The 1998 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter passed 72.9% of its 1,368 recorded MOT tests. That is 2.5 percentage points better than vans of a similar age, which fail at 29.6%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.8% of tests against 14.7% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, headlamp aim and headlamp — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 115 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 30.3% versus 22.8%.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 39.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 20.8% | 284 |
| 2 | Brakes | 14.7% | 201 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.8% | 134 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.7% | 132 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.0% | 82 |
| 6 | Steering | 3.4% | 47 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 115 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 106 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 102 |
| 4 | Rbt (sp) | 90 |
| 5 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 86 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 83 |
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 | 39.3% | 538 |
| 2 | Suspension | 34.0% | 465 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 19.1% | 261 |
| 4 | Tyres | 16.2% | 222 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 15.1% | 206 |
| 6 | Other defects | 10.2% | 140 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 114 | 22.8% |
| 60-90k | 214 | 23.4% |
| 90-120k | 215 | 23.3% |
| 120-150k | 173 | 28.3% |
| 150k+ | 628 | 30.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 282 | 26.2% |
| 2022 | 297 | 27.6% |
| 2023 | 293 | 29.0% |
| 2024 | 262 | 27.5% |
| 2025 | 234 | 24.8% |
What to check before buying a 1998 Sprinter
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 20.8% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (20.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (14.7% 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.
- Suspension (9.8% 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.
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 1998 Mercedes-Benz Sprinters pass their MOT?
72.9% of the 1,368 1998 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1998 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.8% of tests, followed by brakes (14.7%).
Does the 1998 Sprinter get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.8% in the 30-60k band to 30.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,368 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.