2023 Mercedes-Benz V-Class — MOT failures & pass rate
719 MOT tests on the 2023 Mercedes-Benz V-Class are in this dataset, and 93.2% of them passed. Against MPVs of a similar age (11.2% fail rate), the 2023 V-Class comes out 4.3pp better. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (4.5%) and suspension (2.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are shock absorbers, tread depth and brake pads — shock absorbers alone was recorded 14 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2023 V-Class fails 7.2% of the time in the 0-30k band and 8.3% at 90-120k, a spread of only 1.1 points.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 13.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 1.1% of tests failed in 2023 against 7.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.5% | 32 |
| 2 | Suspension | 2.2% | 16 |
| 3 | Brakes | 0.8% | 6 |
| 4 | Visibility | 0.6% | 4 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 0.3% | 2 |
| 6 | Other defects | 0.3% | 2 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shock absorbers | 14 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 8 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 5 |
| 4 | Registration plates | 4 |
| 5 | Wipers | 3 |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 2 |
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 | 13.1% | 94 |
| 2 | Brakes | 7.2% | 52 |
| 3 | Suspension | 6.0% | 43 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.5% | 18 |
| 5 | Other defects | 1.5% | 11 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.3% | 2 |
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 | 373 | 7.2% |
| 30-60k | 201 | 7.0% |
| 60-90k | 81 | 6.2% |
| 90-120k | 36 | 8.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 87 | 1.1% |
| 2024 | 233 | 7.7% |
| 2025 | 399 | 7.5% |
What to check before buying a 2023 V-Class
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 4.5% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (4.5% 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 (2.2% 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 (0.8% 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 2023 Mercedes-Benz V-Classs pass their MOT?
93.2% of the 719 2023 Mercedes-Benz V-Class MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 6.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2023 Mercedes-Benz V-Class?
Tyres, recorded in 4.5% of tests, followed by suspension (2.2%).
Does the 2023 V-Class get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.2% in the 0-30k band to 8.3% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 719 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.