2010 Mercedes-Benz Vito — MOT failures & pass rate
28,820 MOT tests on the 2010 Mercedes-Benz Vito are in this dataset, and 75.7% of them passed. Vans of a similar age fail 27.5% of the time, so this is 3.2pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 16.7% of all tests — 5.0 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are rbt (sp), position lamp and coil spring — rbt (sp) alone was recorded 1,577 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2010 Vito fails 20.8% of the time in the 0-30k band and 24.8% at 150k+, a spread of only 3.9 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 32.7% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.7% | 4,820 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.7% | 3,375 |
| 3 | Suspension | 10.0% | 2,871 |
| 4 | Visibility | 5.5% | 1,590 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.0% | 1,433 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.1% | 1,192 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rbt (sp) | 1,577 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 1,467 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 1,409 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 1,402 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 1,185 |
| 6 | Washers | 1,164 |
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 | 32.7% | 9,434 |
| 2 | Tyres | 25.3% | 7,302 |
| 3 | Suspension | 15.4% | 4,444 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 15.0% | 4,320 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 14.4% | 4,156 |
| 6 | Other defects | 12.1% | 3,484 |
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 | 168 | 20.8% |
| 30-60k | 722 | 19.3% |
| 60-90k | 2,183 | 20.9% |
| 90-120k | 4,119 | 23.7% |
| 120-150k | 5,385 | 25.5% |
| 150k+ | 16,190 | 24.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 28,777 | 24.3% |
| Petrol | 43 | 18.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6,343 | 24.0% |
| 2022 | 6,240 | 24.4% |
| 2023 | 5,838 | 24.7% |
| 2024 | 5,480 | 24.7% |
| 2025 | 4,919 | 23.7% |
What to check before buying a 2010 Vito
On a 2010 Vito, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (16.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (11.7% 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.
- Suspension (10.0% 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 2010 Mercedes-Benz Vitos pass their MOT?
75.7% of the 28,820 2010 Mercedes-Benz Vito MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Mercedes-Benz Vito?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.7% of tests, followed by brakes (11.7%).
Does the 2010 Vito get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.8% in the 0-30k band to 24.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 28,820 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.