Mercedes-Benz Traveliner MOT pass rate & common failures
Across 35 model years and 842 tests, the Mercedes-Benz Traveliner passes its MOT 77.9% of the time. All cars of a similar age fail at 22.8%, so the Traveliner sits squarely on the average. Its most common failure areas are lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (13.0%) and brakes (11.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are rbt (sp), headlamp aim and service brake performance — rbt (sp) alone was recorded 50 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the Traveliner fails 19.6% of the time in the 30-60k band and 21.7% at 150k+, a spread of only 2.1 points.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 25.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
By model year
Every Traveliner model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 31 | 83.9% | 16.1% | Seat belts & restraints |
| 2008 | 34 | 82.3% | 17.6% | Visibility |
| 2010 | 96 | 75.0% | 25.0% | Suspension |
| 2011 | 184 | 71.7% | 28.3% | Brakes |
| 2012 | 252 | 80.2% | 19.8% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2013 | 57 | 87.7% | 12.3% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2014 | 42 | 83.3% | 16.7% | Steering |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.0% | 109 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.6% | 98 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.0% | 76 |
| 4 | Tyres | 4.9% | 41 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.8% | 40 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.8% | 40 |
| 7 | Visibility | 3.4% | 29 |
| 8 | Steering | 2.9% | 24 |
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) | 50 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 44 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 28 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 28 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 27 |
| 6 | Coil spring | 27 |
| 7 | Position lamp | 25 |
| 8 | Headlamp | 25 |
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 | 25.9% | 218 |
| 2 | Tyres | 22.0% | 185 |
| 3 | Suspension | 18.9% | 159 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 14.1% | 119 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 11.2% | 94 |
| 6 | Other defects | 10.0% | 84 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 102 | 19.6% |
| 60-90k | 48 | 14.6% |
| 90-120k | 62 | 25.8% |
| 120-150k | 87 | 28.7% |
| 150k+ | 535 | 21.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 187 | 21.9% |
| 2022 | 174 | 18.4% |
| 2023 | 175 | 22.9% |
| 2024 | 159 | 25.8% |
| 2025 | 147 | 21.8% |
What to check before buying a Mercedes-Benz Traveliner
- Lighting & signalling (13.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (11.6% 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 (9.0% 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
What is the MOT pass rate for the Mercedes-Benz Traveliner?
77.9% of the 842 Mercedes-Benz Traveliner MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 22.1% fail rate, across model years 1984–2018.
What does the Mercedes-Benz Traveliner most often fail its MOT on?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.0% of tests, then brakes (11.6%).
How much does mileage affect Traveliner MOT results?
Fail rates run at 19.6% for cars in the 30-60k band and 21.7% for 150k+, a 2.1-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 842 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.