2008 Mercedes-Benz Viano — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 3,221 MOT tests, the 2008 Mercedes-Benz Viano recorded a 76.5% pass rate. That is 2.8 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 26.3%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 14.7% of all tests — 3.4 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, rbt (sp) and headlamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 173 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 13.3% in the 30-60k band and 25.1% in the 150k+ band, a 11.8-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 30.3% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.7% | 473 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.3% | 364 |
| 3 | Suspension | 8.1% | 262 |
| 4 | Tyres | 4.9% | 159 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.9% | 158 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.4% | 142 |
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 | 173 |
| 2 | Rbt (sp) | 168 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 143 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 113 |
| 5 | SRS malfunction indicator lamp | 113 |
| 6 | Washers | 113 |
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 | 30.3% | 977 |
| 2 | Tyres | 25.3% | 816 |
| 3 | Suspension | 24.3% | 783 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 16.7% | 538 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 15.2% | 491 |
| 6 | Other defects | 12.4% | 398 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 195 | 13.3% |
| 60-90k | 356 | 21.6% |
| 90-120k | 547 | 24.7% |
| 120-150k | 594 | 23.6% |
| 150k+ | 1,495 | 25.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 2,797 | 23.7% |
| Petrol | 421 | 22.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 679 | 21.3% |
| 2022 | 697 | 25.4% |
| 2023 | 674 | 25.1% |
| 2024 | 621 | 24.0% |
| 2025 | 550 | 21.1% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Viano
On a 2008 Viano, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 14.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (14.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (11.3% 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 (8.1% 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 2008 Mercedes-Benz Vianos pass their MOT?
76.5% of the 3,221 2008 Mercedes-Benz Viano MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Mercedes-Benz Viano?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.7% of tests, followed by brakes (11.3%).
Does the 2008 Viano get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.3% in the 30-60k band to 25.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,221 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.