2001 Mercedes-Benz V-Class — MOT failures & pass rate
499 MOT tests on the 2001 Mercedes-Benz V-Class are in this dataset, and 71.1% of them passed. That is effectively the same as MPVs of a similar age (29.6% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (18.0%) and suspension (16.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, integral vehicle structure condition and headlamp — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 73 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 25.3% in the 60-90k band and 29.6% in the 150k+ band, a 4.3-point spread.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 39.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 32.6% in 2021 to 23.6% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.0% | 90 |
| 2 | Suspension | 16.6% | 83 |
| 3 | Brakes | 15.6% | 78 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.8% | 74 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.0% | 35 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 7.0% | 35 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 73 |
| 2 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 51 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 48 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 38 |
| 5 | Joints | 35 |
| 6 | Chassis condition | 33 |
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 | 39.7% | 198 |
| 2 | Suspension | 27.9% | 139 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 25.4% | 127 |
| 4 | Tyres | 20.6% | 103 |
| 5 | Other defects | 20.4% | 102 |
| 6 | Visibility | 15.2% | 76 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 75 | 25.3% |
| 90-120k | 105 | 29.5% |
| 120-150k | 113 | 31.9% |
| 150k+ | 152 | 29.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 409 | 30.3% |
| Petrol | 90 | 22.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 147 | 32.6% |
| 2022 | 129 | 30.2% |
| 2023 | 99 | 27.3% |
| 2024 | 69 | 24.6% |
| 2025 | 55 | 23.6% |
What to check before buying a 2001 V-Class
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 18.0% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (18.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (16.6% 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.
- Brakes (15.6% 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.
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 2001 Mercedes-Benz V-Classs pass their MOT?
71.1% of the 499 2001 Mercedes-Benz V-Class MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Mercedes-Benz V-Class?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.0% of tests, followed by suspension (16.6%).
Does the 2001 V-Class get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 25.3% in the 60-90k band to 29.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 499 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.