2011 Mercedes-Benz Vito — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 24,204 MOT tests, the 2011 Mercedes-Benz Vito recorded a 76.1% pass rate. That is 2.6 percentage points better than vans of a similar age, which fail at 26.6%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.1% of tests against 11.7% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are rbt (sp), coil spring and headlamp aim — rbt (sp) alone was recorded 1,491 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 19.3% in the 0-30k band and 24.7% in the 150k+ band, a 5.3-point spread.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 29.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.1% | 3,661 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.7% | 2,837 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.1% | 2,207 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 5.9% | 1,430 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.0% | 1,215 |
| 6 | Tyres | 4.8% | 1,153 |
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) | 1,491 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 1,113 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 1,056 |
| 4 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 889 |
| 5 | Individual direction indicators | 868 |
| 6 | Washers | 848 |
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 | 29.8% | 7,218 |
| 2 | Tyres | 25.3% | 6,112 |
| 3 | Suspension | 19.2% | 4,642 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 12.1% | 2,932 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 11.9% | 2,871 |
| 6 | Other defects | 10.4% | 2,525 |
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 | 150 | 19.3% |
| 30-60k | 694 | 16.1% |
| 60-90k | 2,159 | 20.8% |
| 90-120k | 3,966 | 23.3% |
| 120-150k | 4,701 | 25.2% |
| 150k+ | 12,503 | 24.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 24,152 | 23.9% |
| Petrol | 52 | 13.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,327 | 23.7% |
| 2022 | 5,154 | 23.2% |
| 2023 | 4,936 | 23.8% |
| 2024 | 4,510 | 24.7% |
| 2025 | 4,277 | 24.4% |
What to check before buying a 2011 Vito
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 15.1% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (15.1% 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 (9.1% 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 2011 Mercedes-Benz Vitos pass their MOT?
76.1% of the 24,204 2011 Mercedes-Benz Vito MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Mercedes-Benz Vito?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.1% of tests, followed by brakes (11.7%).
Does the 2011 Vito get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 19.3% in the 0-30k band to 24.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 24,204 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.