2018 Mercedes-Benz V-Class — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 13,847 MOT tests, the 2018 Mercedes-Benz V-Class recorded an 87.6% pass rate. That is effectively the same as MPVs of a similar age (12.2% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (6.1%) and suspension (3.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, coil spring and wipers — tread depth alone was recorded 387 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2018 V-Class fails 10.3% of the time in the 0-30k band and 12.0% at 150k+, a spread of only 1.7 points.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 19.4% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 9.3% of tests failed in 2021 against 13.3% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.1% | 843 |
| 2 | Suspension | 3.8% | 519 |
| 3 | Brakes | 3.1% | 426 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.6% | 365 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 1.1% | 157 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 1.1% | 155 |
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 | 387 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 366 |
| 3 | Wipers | 323 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 260 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 153 |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 134 |
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 | 19.4% | 2,683 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.1% | 1,672 |
| 3 | Other defects | 3.7% | 507 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.6% | 501 |
| 5 | Suspension | 3.2% | 444 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.8% | 114 |
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 | 3,089 | 10.3% |
| 30-60k | 4,055 | 13.8% |
| 60-90k | 2,584 | 13.3% |
| 90-120k | 1,567 | 12.0% |
| 120-150k | 992 | 11.8% |
| 150k+ | 1,558 | 12.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,632 | 9.3% |
| 2022 | 2,814 | 11.6% |
| 2023 | 2,818 | 13.2% |
| 2024 | 2,844 | 14.5% |
| 2025 | 2,739 | 13.3% |
What to check before buying a 2018 V-Class
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 6.1% of tests. Start there.
- 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 (3.8% 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 (3.1% 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.
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 2018 Mercedes-Benz V-Classs pass their MOT?
87.6% of the 13,847 2018 Mercedes-Benz V-Class MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 12.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2018 Mercedes-Benz V-Class?
Tyres, recorded in 6.1% of tests, followed by suspension (3.8%).
Does the 2018 V-Class get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.3% in the 0-30k band to 12.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 13,847 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.