2006 Mercedes-Benz Viano — MOT failures & pass rate
2,517 MOT tests on the 2006 Mercedes-Benz Viano are in this dataset, and 75.5% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (27.4% fail rate), the 2006 Viano comes out 2.9pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 16.1% of all tests — 5.8 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, headlamp and rigid brake pipes — headlamp aim alone was recorded 190 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2006 Viano fails 27.6% of the time in the 0-30k band and 25.5% at 150k+, a spread of only 2.1 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 36.8% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 23.3% in 2021 to 21.6% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.1% | 406 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.3% | 260 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.7% | 243 |
| 4 | Visibility | 5.1% | 129 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.1% | 127 |
| 6 | Tyres | 4.3% | 109 |
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 | 190 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 153 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 115 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 103 |
| 5 | Rbt (sp) | 103 |
| 6 | Washers | 97 |
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 | 36.8% | 926 |
| 2 | Tyres | 25.0% | 629 |
| 3 | Suspension | 24.2% | 608 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 19.6% | 493 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.3% | 334 |
| 6 | Other defects | 12.3% | 309 |
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 | 58 | 27.6% |
| 30-60k | 226 | 23.4% |
| 60-90k | 251 | 19.5% |
| 90-120k | 359 | 22.0% |
| 120-150k | 422 | 26.5% |
| 150k+ | 1,181 | 25.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 2,104 | 25.2% |
| Petrol | 413 | 20.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 519 | 23.3% |
| 2022 | 550 | 25.3% |
| 2023 | 530 | 24.7% |
| 2024 | 482 | 27.2% |
| 2025 | 436 | 21.6% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Viano
On a 2006 Viano, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (16.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (10.3% 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 (9.7% 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 Vianos pass their MOT?
75.5% of the 2,517 2006 Mercedes-Benz Viano MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Mercedes-Benz Viano?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.1% of tests, followed by brakes (10.3%).
Does the 2006 Viano get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 27.6% in the 0-30k band to 25.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,517 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.