2005 Mercedes-Benz Vito — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 15,918 MOT tests, the 2005 Mercedes-Benz Vito recorded a 70.0% pass rate. Vans of a similar age fail at 29.7%, so the 2005 Vito sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 19.7% of all tests — 4.1 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, headlamp and headlamp aim — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 1,766 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2005 Vito fails 32.6% of the time in the 0-30k band and 30.3% at 150k+, a spread of only 2.3 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 45.8% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.7% | 3,131 |
| 2 | Suspension | 15.6% | 2,480 |
| 3 | Brakes | 14.7% | 2,342 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.5% | 1,666 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.8% | 1,238 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.1% | 817 |
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 | 1,766 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 1,510 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 1,438 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 1,082 |
| 5 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 853 |
| 6 | Rbt (sp) | 847 |
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 | 45.8% | 7,293 |
| 2 | Suspension | 27.2% | 4,335 |
| 3 | Tyres | 26.4% | 4,206 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 22.8% | 3,632 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 20.7% | 3,289 |
| 6 | Other defects | 13.3% | 2,119 |
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 | 255 | 32.6% |
| 30-60k | 365 | 22.5% |
| 60-90k | 1,208 | 27.0% |
| 90-120k | 2,518 | 28.9% |
| 120-150k | 3,638 | 31.3% |
| 150k+ | 7,574 | 30.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 15,863 | 30.0% |
| Petrol | 55 | 18.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,412 | 29.7% |
| 2022 | 3,824 | 30.5% |
| 2023 | 3,177 | 29.9% |
| 2024 | 2,507 | 30.2% |
| 2025 | 1,998 | 29.4% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Vito
On a 2005 Vito, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 19.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (19.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (15.6% 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.
- Brakes (14.7% 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 2005 Mercedes-Benz Vitos pass their MOT?
70.0% of the 15,918 2005 Mercedes-Benz Vito MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Mercedes-Benz Vito?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.7% of tests, followed by suspension (15.6%).
Does the 2005 Vito get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 32.6% in the 0-30k band to 30.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 15,918 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.