2012 Mercedes-Benz Traveliner — MOT failures & pass rate
252 MOT tests on the 2012 Mercedes-Benz Traveliner are in this dataset, and 80.2% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (21.5% fail rate), the 2012 Traveliner comes out 1.7pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (13.5%) and brakes (11.1%) 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 tread depth — rbt (sp) alone was recorded 15 times.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 23.4% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.5% | 34 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.1% | 28 |
| 3 | Suspension | 10.7% | 27 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 8.3% | 21 |
| 5 | Tyres | 6.8% | 17 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.2% | 8 |
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) | 15 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 13 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 12 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 10 |
| 5 | On or after 01/07/2008 | 9 |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 9 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 23.4% | 59 |
| 2 | Tyres | 22.6% | 57 |
| 3 | Brakes | 19.8% | 50 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 14.3% | 36 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 9.9% | 25 |
| 6 | Visibility | 8.3% | 21 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 150k+ | 204 | 17.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 56 | 21.4% |
| 2022 | 55 | 14.5% |
| 2023 | 56 | 21.4% |
| 2024 | 44 | 20.4% |
| 2025 | 41 | 21.9% |
What to check before buying a 2012 Traveliner
On a 2012 Traveliner, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (13.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (11.1% 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 (10.7% 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 2012 Mercedes-Benz Traveliners pass their MOT?
80.2% of the 252 2012 Mercedes-Benz Traveliner MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 19.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Mercedes-Benz Traveliner?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.5% of tests, followed by brakes (11.1%).
Methodology & source. Based on 252 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.