2003 Mercedes-Benz Vito — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2003 Mercedes-Benz Vito passed 64.7% of its 4,214 recorded MOT tests. Vans of a similar age fail 30.0% of the time, so this is 5.3pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, body, structure & corrosion and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (23.1%) and body, structure & corrosion (21.1%) 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, joints and integral vehicle structure condition — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 1,109 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 29.3% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 36.6% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 42.5% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 34.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 37.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 23.1% | 974 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 21.1% | 887 |
| 3 | Suspension | 20.1% | 847 |
| 4 | Brakes | 18.5% | 779 |
| 5 | Visibility | 9.9% | 419 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.6% | 236 |
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 | 1,109 |
| 2 | Joints | 535 |
| 3 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 531 |
| 4 | Chassis condition | 448 |
| 5 | Rbt (sp) | 403 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 314 |
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 | 42.5% | 1,792 |
| 2 | Suspension | 30.9% | 1,302 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 29.6% | 1,249 |
| 4 | Tyres | 22.6% | 954 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 18.4% | 774 |
| 6 | Other defects | 16.0% | 672 |
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 | 75 | 29.3% |
| 30-60k | 214 | 31.3% |
| 60-90k | 504 | 34.1% |
| 90-120k | 928 | 34.6% |
| 120-150k | 1,036 | 35.6% |
| 150k+ | 1,326 | 36.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 4,102 | 35.4% |
| Petrol | 112 | 30.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,355 | 34.6% |
| 2022 | 1,050 | 36.7% |
| 2023 | 815 | 36.8% |
| 2024 | 530 | 30.0% |
| 2025 | 464 | 37.7% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Vito
On a 2003 Vito, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 23.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (23.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (21.1% 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 (20.1% 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 2003 Mercedes-Benz Vitos pass their MOT?
64.7% of the 4,214 2003 Mercedes-Benz Vito MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 35.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Mercedes-Benz Vito?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 23.1% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (21.1%).
Does the 2003 Vito get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 29.3% in the 0-30k band to 36.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,214 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.