2004 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter — MOT failures & pass rate
6,511 MOT tests on the 2004 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter are in this dataset, and 72.9% of them passed. That is 2.8 percentage points better than vans of a similar age, which fail at 29.9%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 19.9% of all tests — 4.9 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, component mounting prescribed areas and rbt (sp) — headlamp aim alone was recorded 514 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 19.4% in the 0-30k band and 30.0% in the 150k+ band, a 10.6-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 40.8% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 25.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 27.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.9% | 1,295 |
| 2 | Brakes | 15.0% | 974 |
| 3 | Suspension | 11.1% | 722 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.7% | 503 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.1% | 396 |
| 6 | Steering | 3.5% | 229 |
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 | 514 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 508 |
| 3 | Rbt (sp) | 444 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 358 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 353 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 338 |
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 | 40.8% | 2,654 |
| 2 | Suspension | 35.6% | 2,318 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 21.5% | 1,398 |
| 4 | Tyres | 16.7% | 1,090 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.3% | 1,062 |
| 6 | Other defects | 15.0% | 977 |
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 | 175 | 19.4% |
| 30-60k | 732 | 18.4% |
| 60-90k | 857 | 22.2% |
| 90-120k | 1,048 | 27.9% |
| 120-150k | 1,087 | 30.4% |
| 150k+ | 2,585 | 30.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 6,458 | 27.1% |
| Petrol | 52 | 30.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,396 | 25.6% |
| 2022 | 1,461 | 28.5% |
| 2023 | 1,340 | 27.1% |
| 2024 | 1,222 | 26.6% |
| 2025 | 1,092 | 27.8% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Sprinter
On a 2004 Sprinter, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 19.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (19.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (15.0% 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 (11.1% 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 2004 Mercedes-Benz Sprinters pass their MOT?
72.9% of the 6,511 2004 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.9% of tests, followed by brakes (15.0%).
Does the 2004 Sprinter get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 19.4% in the 0-30k band to 30.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 6,511 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.