2002 Mercedes-Benz V-Class — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2002 Mercedes-Benz V-Class passed 71.4% of its 864 recorded MOT tests. Against MPVs of a similar age (29.7% fail rate), the 2002 V-Class comes out 1.1pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (16.6%) and brakes (13.9%) 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, rbt (sp) and joints — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 78 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 24.2% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 29.3% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 35.6% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 28.9% in 2021 to 25.8% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.6% | 143 |
| 2 | Brakes | 13.9% | 120 |
| 3 | Suspension | 13.3% | 115 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.0% | 112 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.8% | 67 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 5.7% | 49 |
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 | 78 |
| 2 | Rbt (sp) | 59 |
| 3 | Joints | 56 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 51 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 43 |
| 6 | Wipers | 43 |
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 | 35.6% | 308 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 26.4% | 228 |
| 3 | Suspension | 26.2% | 226 |
| 4 | Tyres | 21.1% | 182 |
| 5 | Other defects | 16.9% | 146 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 15.6% | 135 |
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 | 33 | 24.2% |
| 60-90k | 127 | 29.1% |
| 90-120k | 143 | 31.5% |
| 120-150k | 226 | 26.1% |
| 150k+ | 273 | 29.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 752 | 29.1% |
| Petrol | 112 | 25.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 211 | 28.9% |
| 2022 | 200 | 31.0% |
| 2023 | 168 | 27.4% |
| 2024 | 157 | 28.7% |
| 2025 | 128 | 25.8% |
What to check before buying a 2002 V-Class
On a 2002 V-Class, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (16.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (13.9% 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 (13.3% 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 2002 Mercedes-Benz V-Classs pass their MOT?
71.4% of the 864 2002 Mercedes-Benz V-Class MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Mercedes-Benz V-Class?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.6% of tests, followed by brakes (13.9%).
Does the 2002 V-Class get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 24.2% in the 0-30k band to 29.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 864 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.