2020 Mercedes-Benz Vito 116Cdi Select — MOT failures & pass rate
346 MOT tests on the 2020 Mercedes-Benz Vito 116Cdi Select are in this dataset, and 86.4% of them passed. That is 4.4 percentage points worse than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 9.2%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, tyres and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (4.6%) and tyres (4.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, wipers and brake pads — headlamp aim alone was recorded 11 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2020 Vito 116Cdi Select fails 12.3% of the time in the 0-30k band and 10.0% at 150k+, a spread of only 2.3 points.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 20.5% 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 | 4.6% | 16 |
| 2 | Tyres | 4.6% | 16 |
| 3 | Brakes | 3.2% | 11 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.6% | 9 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.7% | 6 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.7% | 6 |
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 | 11 |
| 2 | Wipers | 9 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 8 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 7 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 6 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 4 |
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 | 20.5% | 71 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.7% | 44 |
| 3 | Suspension | 7.5% | 26 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.6% | 16 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 2.9% | 10 |
| 6 | Other defects | 2.6% | 9 |
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 | 114 | 12.3% |
| 30-60k | 89 | 16.9% |
| 60-90k | 61 | 13.1% |
| 150k+ | 30 | 10.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 96 | 12.5% |
| 2024 | 111 | 15.3% |
| 2025 | 115 | 13.9% |
What to check before buying a 2020 Vito 116Cdi Select
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 4.6% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (4.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (4.6% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Brakes (3.2% 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.
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 2020 Mercedes-Benz Vito 116Cdi Selects pass their MOT?
86.4% of the 346 2020 Mercedes-Benz Vito 116Cdi Select MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 13.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Mercedes-Benz Vito 116Cdi Select?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 4.6% of tests, followed by tyres (4.6%).
Does the 2020 Vito 116Cdi Select get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.3% in the 0-30k band to 10.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 346 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.