2011 Mercedes-Benz Viano — MOT failures & pass rate
3,046 MOT tests on the 2011 Mercedes-Benz Viano are in this dataset, and 78.3% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 23.1% of the time, so this is 1.4pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 15.8% of all tests — 7.2 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, side repeaters and rbt (sp) — headlamp aim alone was recorded 160 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 16.7% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 22.7% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 25.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 19.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 21.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.8% | 482 |
| 2 | Brakes | 8.7% | 264 |
| 3 | Suspension | 6.3% | 192 |
| 4 | Tyres | 4.6% | 141 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 3.7% | 112 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.6% | 111 |
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 | 160 |
| 2 | Side repeaters | 152 |
| 3 | Rbt (sp) | 139 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 124 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 102 |
| 6 | Individual direction indicators | 93 |
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 | 25.1% | 764 |
| 2 | Tyres | 24.4% | 742 |
| 3 | Suspension | 18.1% | 550 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 11.7% | 356 |
| 5 | Other defects | 10.6% | 322 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 10.2% | 311 |
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 | 228 | 16.7% |
| 60-90k | 446 | 19.3% |
| 90-120k | 487 | 23.2% |
| 120-150k | 496 | 22.4% |
| 150k+ | 1,362 | 22.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 2,918 | 22.0% |
| Petrol | 128 | 14.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 624 | 19.7% |
| 2022 | 617 | 21.2% |
| 2023 | 634 | 23.7% |
| 2024 | 619 | 22.5% |
| 2025 | 552 | 21.4% |
What to check before buying a 2011 Viano
On a 2011 Viano, 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 (8.7% 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 (6.3% 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 2011 Mercedes-Benz Vianos pass their MOT?
78.3% of the 3,046 2011 Mercedes-Benz Viano MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Mercedes-Benz Viano?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.8% of tests, followed by brakes (8.7%).
Does the 2011 Viano get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.7% in the 30-60k band to 22.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,046 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.