2006 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2006 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter passed 75.3% of its 5,686 recorded MOT tests. Against vans of a similar age (29.6% fail rate), the 2006 Sprinter comes out 4.9pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (16.2%) and brakes (14.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are rbt (sp), headlamp aim and position lamp — rbt (sp) alone was recorded 378 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 20.1% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 27.3% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 37.4% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.2% | 923 |
| 2 | Brakes | 14.2% | 805 |
| 3 | Suspension | 8.5% | 485 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.7% | 325 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.3% | 299 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.6% | 205 |
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) | 378 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 282 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 267 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 263 |
| 5 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 238 |
| 6 | Wipers | 216 |
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 | 37.4% | 2,124 |
| 2 | Suspension | 32.2% | 1,831 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 17.7% | 1,004 |
| 4 | Tyres | 16.9% | 960 |
| 5 | Other defects | 15.5% | 883 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.8% | 727 |
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 | 199 | 20.1% |
| 30-60k | 650 | 13.2% |
| 60-90k | 666 | 22.8% |
| 90-120k | 754 | 26.1% |
| 120-150k | 1,001 | 26.8% |
| 150k+ | 2,377 | 27.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 5,652 | 24.6% |
| Petrol | 34 | 32.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,228 | 25.1% |
| 2022 | 1,177 | 23.8% |
| 2023 | 1,106 | 23.8% |
| 2024 | 1,115 | 24.2% |
| 2025 | 1,060 | 26.5% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Sprinter
On a 2006 Sprinter, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (16.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (14.2% 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 (8.5% 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 2006 Mercedes-Benz Sprinters pass their MOT?
75.3% of the 5,686 2006 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.2% of tests, followed by brakes (14.2%).
Does the 2006 Sprinter get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.1% in the 0-30k band to 27.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,686 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.