2012 Mercedes-Benz Viano — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 3,638 MOT tests, the 2012 Mercedes-Benz Viano recorded a 78.6% pass rate. That is effectively the same as all cars of a similar age (21.6% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.9% of tests against 8.8% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are rbt (sp), headlamp aim and side repeaters — rbt (sp) alone was recorded 194 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 10.6% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 20.8% once past 150k.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 25.2% 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 | 12.9% | 468 |
| 2 | Brakes | 8.8% | 319 |
| 3 | Suspension | 5.3% | 193 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.3% | 193 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 4.0% | 144 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.6% | 130 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rbt (sp) | 194 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 174 |
| 3 | Side repeaters | 166 |
| 4 | Individual direction indicators | 105 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 104 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 104 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 25.2% | 916 |
| 2 | Brakes | 19.1% | 695 |
| 3 | Suspension | 16.9% | 613 |
| 4 | Other defects | 10.7% | 389 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 9.7% | 351 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 8.8% | 320 |
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 | 47 | 10.6% |
| 30-60k | 309 | 19.1% |
| 60-90k | 630 | 20.3% |
| 90-120k | 584 | 21.4% |
| 120-150k | 552 | 26.5% |
| 150k+ | 1,516 | 20.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 3,574 | 21.6% |
| Petrol | 64 | 7.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 762 | 20.5% |
| 2022 | 767 | 21.4% |
| 2023 | 721 | 20.9% |
| 2024 | 709 | 22.6% |
| 2025 | 679 | 21.6% |
What to check before buying a 2012 Viano
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 12.9% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (12.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (8.8% 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 (5.3% 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 2012 Mercedes-Benz Vianos pass their MOT?
78.6% of the 3,638 2012 Mercedes-Benz Viano MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Mercedes-Benz Viano?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.9% of tests, followed by brakes (8.8%).
Does the 2012 Viano get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.6% in the 0-30k band to 20.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,638 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.