2009 Mercedes-Benz Viano — MOT failures & pass rate
2,889 MOT tests on the 2009 Mercedes-Benz Viano are in this dataset, and 77.1% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 25.4% of the time, so this is 2.5pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.4% of tests against 9.9% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, headlamp and rbt (sp) — headlamp aim alone was recorded 147 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2009 Viano fails 23.3% of the time in the 0-30k band and 22.8% at 150k+, a spread of only 0.5 points.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 29.2% 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 | 14.4% | 417 |
| 2 | Brakes | 9.9% | 285 |
| 3 | Suspension | 7.5% | 218 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.3% | 154 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.9% | 141 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.0% | 114 |
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 | 147 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 128 |
| 3 | Rbt (sp) | 120 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 107 |
| 5 | Exhaust system | 95 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 85 |
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 | 29.2% | 844 |
| 2 | Tyres | 24.9% | 718 |
| 3 | Suspension | 22.6% | 654 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 14.7% | 425 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 14.6% | 421 |
| 6 | Other defects | 12.2% | 351 |
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 | 30 | 23.3% |
| 30-60k | 156 | 13.5% |
| 60-90k | 398 | 22.6% |
| 90-120k | 462 | 25.5% |
| 120-150k | 465 | 23.7% |
| 150k+ | 1,373 | 22.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 2,738 | 23.1% |
| Petrol | 151 | 19.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 622 | 23.5% |
| 2022 | 597 | 22.8% |
| 2023 | 605 | 21.5% |
| 2024 | 553 | 24.4% |
| 2025 | 512 | 22.3% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Viano
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 14.4% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (14.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (9.9% 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 (7.5% 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 2009 Mercedes-Benz Vianos pass their MOT?
77.1% of the 2,889 2009 Mercedes-Benz Viano MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Mercedes-Benz Viano?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.4% of tests, followed by brakes (9.9%).
Does the 2009 Viano get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 23.3% in the 0-30k band to 22.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,889 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.