2005 Mercedes-Benz Vaneo — MOT failures & pass rate
784 MOT tests on the 2005 Mercedes-Benz Vaneo are in this dataset, and 72.1% of them passed. That is effectively the same as all cars of a similar age (27.6% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.2% of tests against 12.9% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp, headlamp aim and stop lamp — headlamp alone was recorded 51 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2005 Vaneo fails 29.4% of the time in the 0-30k band and 28.0% at 120-150k, a spread of only 1.4 points.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 41.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.2% | 135 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.9% | 101 |
| 3 | Suspension | 11.2% | 88 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.1% | 56 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 6.0% | 47 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 5.2% | 41 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp | 51 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 46 |
| 3 | Stop lamp | 45 |
| 4 | SRS malfunction indicator lamp | 38 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 38 |
| 6 | Rbt (sp) | 37 |
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 | 41.1% | 322 |
| 2 | Suspension | 29.7% | 233 |
| 3 | Tyres | 26.5% | 208 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 23.3% | 183 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.5% | 137 |
| 6 | Other defects | 9.6% | 75 |
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 | 34 | 29.4% |
| 30-60k | 272 | 25.0% |
| 60-90k | 277 | 27.8% |
| 90-120k | 113 | 30.1% |
| 120-150k | 50 | 28.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 426 | 27.5% |
| Diesel | 356 | 28.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 200 | 27.5% |
| 2022 | 187 | 27.8% |
| 2023 | 158 | 26.6% |
| 2024 | 130 | 31.5% |
| 2025 | 109 | 26.6% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Vaneo
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 17.2% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (17.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (12.9% 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 (11.2% 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.
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 2005 Mercedes-Benz Vaneos pass their MOT?
72.1% of the 784 2005 Mercedes-Benz Vaneo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Mercedes-Benz Vaneo?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.2% of tests, followed by brakes (12.9%).
Does the 2005 Vaneo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 29.4% in the 0-30k band to 28.0% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 784 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.