2021 Mercedes-Benz Vito 119 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2021 Mercedes-Benz Vito 119 passed 88.4% of its 692 recorded MOT tests. That is 2.9 percentage points worse than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 8.6%. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (5.9%) and visibility (3.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, brake pads and tread depth — wipers alone was recorded 22 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 4.3% in the 0-30k band and 23.5% in the 90-120k band, a 19.3-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 22.7% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.9% | 41 |
| 2 | Visibility | 3.2% | 22 |
| 3 | Brakes | 3.0% | 21 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 1.0% | 7 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.9% | 6 |
| 6 | Other defects | 0.6% | 4 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 22 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 19 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 11 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 8 |
| 5 | Tyre pressure monitoring system | 5 |
| 6 | Brake discs | 5 |
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 | 22.7% | 157 |
| 2 | Brakes | 15.0% | 104 |
| 3 | Visibility | 7.1% | 49 |
| 4 | Suspension | 6.4% | 44 |
| 5 | Other defects | 3.9% | 27 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.9% | 6 |
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 | 117 | 4.3% |
| 30-60k | 349 | 11.2% |
| 60-90k | 151 | 12.6% |
| 90-120k | 51 | 23.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 344 | 11.6% |
| 2025 | 338 | 11.5% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Vito 119
On a 2021 Vito 119, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 5.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (5.9% 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.
- Visibility (3.2% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Brakes (3.0% 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 2021 Mercedes-Benz Vito 119s pass their MOT?
88.4% of the 692 2021 Mercedes-Benz Vito 119 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 11.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Mercedes-Benz Vito 119?
Tyres, recorded in 5.9% of tests, followed by visibility (3.2%).
Does the 2021 Vito 119 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 4.3% in the 0-30k band to 23.5% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 692 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.