2016 Mercedes-Benz V-Class — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 9,256 MOT tests analysed for the 2016 Mercedes-Benz V-Class, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 86.3% was in line with the average for cars of a similar age (85.9%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.0% | 560 |
| 2 | Suspension | 5.2% | 483 |
| 3 | Brakes | 3.8% | 355 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.5% | 229 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 2.2% | 200 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.3% | 121 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 292 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 247 |
| 3 | Ball joint | 238 |
| 4 | Wipers | 190 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 175 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 117 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 20.0% | 1,853 |
| 2 | Brakes | 15.4% | 1,426 |
| 3 | Suspension | 5.7% | 527 |
| 4 | Other defects | 5.1% | 476 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.7% | 341 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 1.3% | 117 |
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 | 584 | 12.3% |
| 30-60k | 1,781 | 17.2% |
| 60-90k | 1,977 | 13.8% |
| 90-120k | 1,593 | 14.2% |
| 120-150k | 1,130 | 12.2% |
| 150k+ | 2,190 | 11.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,867 | 13.2% |
| 2022 | 1,899 | 13.3% |
| 2023 | 1,857 | 13.7% |
| 2024 | 1,824 | 14.1% |
| 2025 | 1,809 | 14.2% |
What to check before buying a 2016 V-Class
Before buying a 2016 Mercedes-Benz V-Class, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 6.0% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (6.0% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Suspension (5.2% 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 (3.8% 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 2016 Mercedes-Benz V-Classs pass their MOT?
86.3% of the 9,256 2016 Mercedes-Benz V-Class MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 13.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2016 Mercedes-Benz V-Class?
Tyres, recorded in 6.0% of tests, followed by suspension (5.2%).
Does the 2016 V-Class get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.3% in the 0-30k band to 11.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 9,256 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.