2001 Mercedes-Benz Vito — MOT failures & pass rate
2,027 MOT tests on the 2001 Mercedes-Benz Vito are in this dataset, and 66.9% of them passed. Against vans of a similar age (29.8% fail rate), the 2001 Vito comes out 3.3pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, body, structure & corrosion and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (21.3%) and body, structure & corrosion (20.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, integral vehicle structure condition and joints — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 506 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 42.4% in the 0-30k band and 31.8% in the 150k+ band, a 10.6-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 43.3% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 21.3% | 431 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 20.0% | 406 |
| 3 | Suspension | 18.9% | 383 |
| 4 | Brakes | 16.7% | 338 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.5% | 152 |
| 6 | Steering | 5.1% | 104 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 506 |
| 2 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 250 |
| 3 | Joints | 250 |
| 4 | Chassis condition | 203 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 194 |
| 6 | Rbt (sp) | 172 |
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 | 43.3% | 878 |
| 2 | Suspension | 34.0% | 689 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 27.2% | 552 |
| 4 | Tyres | 22.9% | 465 |
| 5 | Other defects | 19.7% | 400 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 14.6% | 296 |
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 | 66 | 42.4% |
| 30-60k | 134 | 26.9% |
| 60-90k | 326 | 31.6% |
| 90-120k | 420 | 31.4% |
| 120-150k | 446 | 35.6% |
| 150k+ | 512 | 31.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 1,905 | 33.5% |
| Petrol | 122 | 27.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 617 | 33.1% |
| 2022 | 501 | 34.3% |
| 2023 | 375 | 33.6% |
| 2024 | 300 | 31.7% |
| 2025 | 234 | 31.6% |
What to check before buying a 2001 Vito
On a 2001 Vito, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 21.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (21.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (20.0% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
- Suspension (18.9% 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 2001 Mercedes-Benz Vitos pass their MOT?
66.9% of the 2,027 2001 Mercedes-Benz Vito MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 33.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Mercedes-Benz Vito?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 21.3% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (20.0%).
Does the 2001 Vito get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 42.4% in the 0-30k band to 31.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,027 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.