2006 Mercedes-Benz Vaneo — MOT failures & pass rate
323 MOT tests on the 2006 Mercedes-Benz Vaneo are in this dataset, and 73.1% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail at 27.3%, so the 2006 Vaneo sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (15.8%) and brakes (14.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, rbt (sp) and pins and bushes — headlamp aim alone was recorded 28 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2006 Vaneo fails 29.4% of the time in the 0-30k band and 27.3% at 90-120k, a spread of only 2.1 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 33.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 30.8% in 2021 to 25.5% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.8% | 51 |
| 2 | Brakes | 14.5% | 47 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.6% | 31 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.9% | 19 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.0% | 16 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.3% | 14 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 28 |
| 2 | Rbt (sp) | 23 |
| 3 | Pins and bushes | 20 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 16 |
| 5 | Individual direction indicators | 15 |
| 6 | SRS malfunction indicator lamp | 13 |
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 | 33.1% | 107 |
| 2 | Suspension | 28.5% | 92 |
| 3 | Tyres | 23.8% | 77 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 22.3% | 72 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.1% | 52 |
| 6 | Other defects | 11.5% | 37 |
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 | 51 | 29.4% |
| 30-60k | 110 | 25.4% |
| 60-90k | 107 | 29.9% |
| 90-120k | 33 | 27.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 190 | 26.3% |
| Diesel | 133 | 27.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 78 | 30.8% |
| 2022 | 70 | 25.7% |
| 2023 | 65 | 24.6% |
| 2024 | 59 | 27.1% |
| 2025 | 51 | 25.5% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Vaneo
On a 2006 Vaneo, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 15.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (15.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (14.5% 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.
- Suspension (9.6% 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 2006 Mercedes-Benz Vaneos pass their MOT?
73.1% of the 323 2006 Mercedes-Benz Vaneo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Mercedes-Benz Vaneo?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.8% of tests, followed by brakes (14.5%).
Does the 2006 Vaneo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 29.4% in the 0-30k band to 27.3% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 323 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.