2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter — MOT failures & pass rate
3,671 MOT tests on the 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter are in this dataset, and 91.4% of them passed. Vans of a similar age fail 13.3% of the time, so this is 4.7pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (4.8%) and brakes (3.3%) 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 120 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2020 Sprinter fails 8.3% of the time in the 0-30k band and 7.7% at 150k+, a spread of only 0.6 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 8.5% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 1.8% of tests failed in 2021 against 9.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 4.8% | 176 |
| 2 | Brakes | 3.3% | 121 |
| 3 | Visibility | 2.6% | 96 |
| 4 | Tyres | 1.8% | 68 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 1.0% | 36 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.9% | 33 |
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 | 120 |
| 2 | Wipers | 85 |
| 3 | Rbt (sp) | 65 |
| 4 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 34 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 28 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 28 |
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 | 8.5% | 311 |
| 2 | Tyres | 8.0% | 295 |
| 3 | Visibility | 3.7% | 136 |
| 4 | Other defects | 3.6% | 132 |
| 5 | Suspension | 3.4% | 123 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 2.4% | 89 |
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 | 1,291 | 8.3% |
| 30-60k | 865 | 9.9% |
| 60-90k | 528 | 7.6% |
| 90-120k | 425 | 8.0% |
| 120-150k | 244 | 9.0% |
| 150k+ | 311 | 7.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 329 | 1.8% |
| 2022 | 336 | 2.7% |
| 2023 | 956 | 10.4% |
| 2024 | 1,031 | 9.8% |
| 2025 | 1,019 | 9.8% |
What to check before buying a 2020 Sprinter
On a 2020 Sprinter, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 4.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (4.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (3.3% 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 (2.6% 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 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinters pass their MOT?
91.4% of the 3,671 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 4.8% of tests, followed by brakes (3.3%).
Does the 2020 Sprinter get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.3% in the 0-30k band to 7.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,671 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.