2007 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter — MOT failures & pass rate
6,581 MOT tests on the 2007 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter are in this dataset, and 75.2% of them passed. Against vans of a similar age (29.2% fail rate), the 2007 Sprinter comes out 4.5pp better. Failures cluster in brakes, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (14.7%) and lighting & signalling (14.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are rbt (sp), rigid brake pipes and position lamp — rbt (sp) alone was recorded 498 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 20.5% in the 0-30k band and 28.0% in the 150k+ band, a 7.4-point spread.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 37.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 14.7% | 970 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 14.0% | 923 |
| 3 | Suspension | 8.2% | 541 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.6% | 300 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.5% | 295 |
| 6 | Steering | 4.2% | 274 |
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) | 498 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 320 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 306 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 277 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 277 |
| 6 | Track rod end | 228 |
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 | 37.1% | 2,440 |
| 2 | Suspension | 29.4% | 1,936 |
| 3 | Other defects | 18.9% | 1,244 |
| 4 | Tyres | 16.3% | 1,071 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 15.5% | 1,022 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 12.8% | 845 |
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 | 253 | 20.5% |
| 30-60k | 659 | 16.1% |
| 60-90k | 659 | 17.6% |
| 90-120k | 803 | 24.7% |
| 120-150k | 1,145 | 26.1% |
| 150k+ | 2,985 | 28.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,387 | 26.1% |
| 2022 | 1,357 | 23.5% |
| 2023 | 1,281 | 24.4% |
| 2024 | 1,297 | 25.1% |
| 2025 | 1,259 | 24.7% |
What to check before buying a 2007 Sprinter
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: brakes accounted for 14.7% of tests. Start there.
- 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.
- Lighting & signalling (14.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (8.2% 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 2007 Mercedes-Benz Sprinters pass their MOT?
75.2% of the 6,581 2007 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter?
Brakes, recorded in 14.7% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (14.0%).
Does the 2007 Sprinter get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.5% in the 0-30k band to 28.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 6,581 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.