2015 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter — MOT failures & pass rate
8,961 MOT tests on the 2015 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter are in this dataset, and 84.8% of them passed. Vans of a similar age fail 21.6% of the time, so this is 6.3pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in brakes, lighting & signalling and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (9.0%) and lighting & signalling (7.6%) 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 headlamp aim — rbt (sp) alone was recorded 453 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 9.2% in the 0-30k band and 13.9% in the 150k+ band, a 4.7-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 22.7% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 11.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 17.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 9.0% | 808 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 7.6% | 679 |
| 3 | Visibility | 3.3% | 291 |
| 4 | Suspension | 2.9% | 258 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 1.9% | 171 |
| 6 | Tyres | 1.9% | 169 |
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) | 453 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 279 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 261 |
| 4 | Wipers | 194 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 184 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 156 |
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 | 22.7% | 2,036 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.0% | 1,251 |
| 3 | Tyres | 10.1% | 901 |
| 4 | Other defects | 9.0% | 810 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 7.3% | 651 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.4% | 484 |
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 | 718 | 9.2% |
| 30-60k | 1,284 | 11.6% |
| 60-90k | 1,402 | 15.6% |
| 90-120k | 1,315 | 21.0% |
| 120-150k | 1,104 | 19.5% |
| 150k+ | 3,136 | 13.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,569 | 11.7% |
| 2022 | 1,667 | 12.7% |
| 2023 | 1,696 | 15.6% |
| 2024 | 2,064 | 17.1% |
| 2025 | 1,965 | 17.9% |
What to check before buying a 2015 Sprinter
On a 2015 Sprinter, brakes is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 9.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Brakes (9.0% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (7.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (3.3% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
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 2015 Mercedes-Benz Sprinters pass their MOT?
84.8% of the 8,961 2015 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 15.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2015 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter?
Brakes, recorded in 9.0% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (7.6%).
Does the 2015 Sprinter get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.2% in the 0-30k band to 13.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 8,961 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.