2008 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter — MOT failures & pass rate
7,150 MOT tests on the 2008 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter are in this dataset, and 76.6% of them passed. That is 5.4 percentage points better than vans of a similar age, which fail at 28.8%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (14.4%) and brakes (13.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are rbt (sp), position lamp and headlamp aim — rbt (sp) alone was recorded 512 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 16.2% in the 0-30k band and 27.0% in the 150k+ band, a 10.8-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 34.8% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 22.5% of tests failed in 2021 against 24.6% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.4% | 1,030 |
| 2 | Brakes | 13.7% | 980 |
| 3 | Suspension | 6.6% | 472 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.8% | 340 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.1% | 295 |
| 6 | Steering | 4.1% | 291 |
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) | 512 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 356 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 306 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 305 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 291 |
| 6 | Track rod end | 234 |
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 | 34.8% | 2,488 |
| 2 | Suspension | 25.2% | 1,801 |
| 3 | Other defects | 18.6% | 1,326 |
| 4 | Tyres | 15.4% | 1,099 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 14.6% | 1,046 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 13.5% | 962 |
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 | 16.2% |
| 30-60k | 818 | 15.4% |
| 60-90k | 858 | 16.8% |
| 90-120k | 976 | 24.5% |
| 120-150k | 1,123 | 24.6% |
| 150k+ | 3,045 | 27.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,433 | 22.5% |
| 2022 | 1,468 | 23.4% |
| 2023 | 1,425 | 24.6% |
| 2024 | 1,428 | 21.8% |
| 2025 | 1,396 | 24.6% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Sprinter
On a 2008 Sprinter, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 14.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (14.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (13.7% 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 (6.6% 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 2008 Mercedes-Benz Sprinters pass their MOT?
76.6% of the 7,150 2008 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.4% of tests, followed by brakes (13.7%).
Does the 2008 Sprinter get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.2% in the 0-30k band to 27.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 7,150 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.