2009 Mercedes-Benz Vito — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2009 Mercedes-Benz Vito passed 75.2% of its 28,476 recorded MOT tests. Against vans of a similar age (28.2% fail rate), the 2009 Vito comes out 3.3pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 16.2% of all tests — 3.8 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, rbt (sp) and position lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 1,671 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 25.5% versus 17.4%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 32.9% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.2% | 4,621 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.4% | 3,527 |
| 3 | Suspension | 11.2% | 3,187 |
| 4 | Visibility | 5.6% | 1,596 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.0% | 1,434 |
| 6 | Tyres | 4.8% | 1,354 |
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 | 1,671 |
| 2 | Rbt (sp) | 1,553 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 1,395 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 1,324 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 1,185 |
| 6 | Washers | 1,122 |
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 | 32.9% | 9,360 |
| 2 | Tyres | 25.6% | 7,286 |
| 3 | Suspension | 19.7% | 5,612 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 15.7% | 4,471 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 15.5% | 4,404 |
| 6 | Other defects | 11.7% | 3,318 |
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 | 144 | 17.4% |
| 30-60k | 587 | 18.2% |
| 60-90k | 2,030 | 21.5% |
| 90-120k | 4,439 | 24.4% |
| 120-150k | 5,645 | 25.3% |
| 150k+ | 15,581 | 25.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 28,417 | 24.8% |
| Petrol | 58 | 25.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6,389 | 24.4% |
| 2022 | 6,159 | 24.4% |
| 2023 | 5,851 | 25.1% |
| 2024 | 5,332 | 25.3% |
| 2025 | 4,745 | 25.1% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Vito
On a 2009 Vito, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (16.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (12.4% 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.
- Suspension (11.2% 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 2009 Mercedes-Benz Vitos pass their MOT?
75.2% of the 28,476 2009 Mercedes-Benz Vito MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Mercedes-Benz Vito?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.2% of tests, followed by brakes (12.4%).
Does the 2009 Vito get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.4% in the 0-30k band to 25.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 28,476 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.