2022 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2022 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter passed 94.9% of its 389 recorded MOT tests. Against vans of a similar age (10.8% fail rate), the 2022 Sprinter comes out 5.6pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 5.9% of all tests — 3.9 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, rbt (sp) and brake pads — headlamp aim alone was recorded 25 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2022 Sprinter fails 6.0% of the time in the 0-30k band and 7.4% at 90-120k, a spread of only 1.4 points.
The trend is worsening — 1.2% of tests failed in 2023 against 7.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 5.9% | 23 |
| 2 | Brakes | 2.1% | 8 |
| 3 | Suspension | 0.8% | 3 |
| 4 | Tyres | 0.8% | 3 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 0.8% | 3 |
| 6 | Visibility | 0.8% | 3 |
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 | 25 |
| 2 | Rbt (sp) | 5 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 3 |
| 4 | Rear fog lamp | 3 |
| 5 | Registration plates | 3 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 3 |
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 | 4.1% | 16 |
| 2 | Tyres | 3.9% | 15 |
| 3 | Suspension | 2.3% | 9 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.3% | 9 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 2.1% | 8 |
| 6 | Other defects | 1.5% | 6 |
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 | 151 | 6.0% |
| 30-60k | 86 | 3.5% |
| 60-90k | 65 | 4.6% |
| 90-120k | 54 | 7.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 83 | 1.2% |
| 2024 | 102 | 3.9% |
| 2025 | 201 | 7.5% |
What to check before buying a 2022 Sprinter
On a 2022 Sprinter, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 5.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (5.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (2.1% 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 (0.8% 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 2022 Mercedes-Benz Sprinters pass their MOT?
94.9% of the 389 2022 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 5.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2022 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 5.9% of tests, followed by brakes (2.1%).
Does the 2022 Sprinter get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.0% in the 0-30k band to 7.4% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 389 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.