2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter — MOT failures & pass rate
5,460 MOT tests on the 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter are in this dataset, and 90.2% of them passed. That is 5.0 percentage points better than vans of a similar age, which fail at 14.8%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (5.3%) and brakes (4.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, wipers and rbt (sp) — headlamp aim alone was recorded 197 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2019 Sprinter fails 8.6% of the time in the 0-30k band and 7.2% at 150k+, a spread of only 1.3 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 11.5% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 3.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 11.3% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 5.3% | 292 |
| 2 | Brakes | 4.1% | 225 |
| 3 | Visibility | 2.9% | 159 |
| 4 | Tyres | 1.9% | 102 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 1.5% | 83 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.1% | 60 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 197 |
| 2 | Wipers | 128 |
| 3 | Rbt (sp) | 110 |
| 4 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 55 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 46 |
| 6 | SRS malfunction indicator lamp | 44 |
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 | 11.5% | 629 |
| 2 | Tyres | 8.1% | 444 |
| 3 | Other defects | 5.9% | 321 |
| 4 | Suspension | 4.7% | 256 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.3% | 234 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 2.7% | 148 |
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 | 1,357 | 8.6% |
| 30-60k | 1,111 | 10.5% |
| 60-90k | 986 | 12.6% |
| 90-120k | 678 | 10.3% |
| 120-150k | 453 | 9.9% |
| 150k+ | 874 | 7.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 469 | 3.4% |
| 2022 | 1,178 | 9.5% |
| 2023 | 1,164 | 9.3% |
| 2024 | 1,326 | 11.2% |
| 2025 | 1,323 | 11.3% |
What to check before buying a 2019 Sprinter
On a 2019 Sprinter, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 5.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (5.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (4.1% 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.
- Visibility (2.9% 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 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinters pass their MOT?
90.2% of the 5,460 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 5.3% of tests, followed by brakes (4.1%).
Does the 2019 Sprinter get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.6% in the 0-30k band to 7.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,460 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.