2017 Mercedes-Benz V-Class — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 13,050 MOT tests, the 2017 Mercedes-Benz V-Class recorded an 86.1% pass rate. MPVs of a similar age fail at 13.6%, so the 2017 V-Class sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (6.1%) and suspension (5.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are ball joint, tread depth and coil spring — ball joint alone was recorded 404 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2017 V-Class fails 10.6% of the time in the 0-30k band and 13.2% at 150k+, a spread of only 2.6 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 20.0% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 12.3% of tests failed in 2021 against 16.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.1% | 801 |
| 2 | Suspension | 5.4% | 709 |
| 3 | Brakes | 3.5% | 456 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.5% | 327 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 1.5% | 190 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.2% | 161 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ball joint | 404 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 387 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 383 |
| 4 | Wipers | 270 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 236 |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 139 |
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% | 2,613 |
| 2 | Brakes | 14.0% | 1,826 |
| 3 | Suspension | 5.7% | 738 |
| 4 | Other defects | 4.6% | 596 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.0% | 524 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 1.4% | 179 |
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 | 1,540 | 10.6% |
| 30-60k | 3,201 | 15.4% |
| 60-90k | 2,617 | 14.7% |
| 90-120k | 1,928 | 14.9% |
| 120-150k | 1,280 | 12.1% |
| 150k+ | 2,479 | 13.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,568 | 12.3% |
| 2022 | 2,601 | 12.7% |
| 2023 | 2,607 | 13.7% |
| 2024 | 2,619 | 14.8% |
| 2025 | 2,655 | 16.0% |
What to check before buying a 2017 V-Class
On a 2017 V-Class, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (6.1% 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 (5.4% 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 (3.5% 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 2017 Mercedes-Benz V-Classs pass their MOT?
86.1% of the 13,050 2017 Mercedes-Benz V-Class MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 13.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2017 Mercedes-Benz V-Class?
Tyres, recorded in 6.1% of tests, followed by suspension (5.4%).
Does the 2017 V-Class get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.6% in the 0-30k band to 13.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 13,050 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.