2009 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 5,140 MOT tests, the 2009 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter recorded a 78.8% pass rate. That is 7.1 percentage points better than vans of a similar age, which fail at 28.2%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (12.6%) and brakes (12.1%) 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 rigid brake pipes — rbt (sp) alone was recorded 362 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 9.9% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 24.2% once past 150k — 2.4× the risk.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 32.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 20.5% of tests failed in 2021 against 22.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.6% | 646 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.1% | 624 |
| 3 | Suspension | 5.8% | 298 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.1% | 209 |
| 5 | Steering | 4.1% | 209 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.0% | 204 |
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) | 362 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 204 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 191 |
| 4 | Track rod end | 184 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 170 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 158 |
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 | 32.0% | 1,645 |
| 2 | Suspension | 23.9% | 1,230 |
| 3 | Other defects | 17.3% | 891 |
| 4 | Tyres | 14.2% | 731 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 12.7% | 655 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 12.7% | 654 |
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 | 303 | 9.9% |
| 30-60k | 693 | 13.7% |
| 60-90k | 581 | 18.8% |
| 90-120k | 643 | 23.2% |
| 120-150k | 753 | 23.9% |
| 150k+ | 2,154 | 24.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,036 | 20.5% |
| 2022 | 1,018 | 19.7% |
| 2023 | 992 | 20.3% |
| 2024 | 1,088 | 22.9% |
| 2025 | 1,006 | 22.5% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Sprinter
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 12.6% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (12.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (12.1% 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 (5.8% 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 2009 Mercedes-Benz Sprinters pass their MOT?
78.8% of the 5,140 2009 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.6% of tests, followed by brakes (12.1%).
Does the 2009 Sprinter get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.9% in the 0-30k band to 24.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,140 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.