2013 Mercedes-Benz Vito — MOT failures & pass rate
31,355 MOT tests on the 2013 Mercedes-Benz Vito are in this dataset, and 78.3% of them passed. That is 2.6 percentage points better than vans of a similar age, which fail at 24.3%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (12.6%) and brakes (10.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are rbt (sp), headlamp aim and malfunction indicator lamp — rbt (sp) alone was recorded 1,891 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 17.3% in the 0-30k band and 21.4% in the 150k+ band, a 4.1-point spread.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 22.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 21.3% of tests failed in 2021 against 23.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.6% | 3,950 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.4% | 3,278 |
| 3 | Suspension | 7.4% | 2,323 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 5.5% | 1,732 |
| 5 | Tyres | 4.4% | 1,389 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.4% | 1,370 |
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) | 1,891 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 1,177 |
| 3 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 1,148 |
| 4 | Washers | 970 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 963 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 917 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 22.8% | 7,152 |
| 2 | Brakes | 18.8% | 5,903 |
| 3 | Suspension | 16.2% | 5,075 |
| 4 | Other defects | 8.7% | 2,732 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.5% | 2,347 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 7.3% | 2,289 |
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 | 185 | 17.3% |
| 30-60k | 1,532 | 16.0% |
| 60-90k | 4,200 | 20.5% |
| 90-120k | 5,643 | 23.2% |
| 120-150k | 5,470 | 23.8% |
| 150k+ | 14,305 | 21.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6,509 | 21.3% |
| 2022 | 6,551 | 21.2% |
| 2023 | 6,412 | 21.2% |
| 2024 | 6,253 | 22.2% |
| 2025 | 5,630 | 23.0% |
What to check before buying a 2013 Vito
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 12.6% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (12.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (10.4% 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 (7.4% 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 2013 Mercedes-Benz Vitos pass their MOT?
78.3% of the 31,355 2013 Mercedes-Benz Vito MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2013 Mercedes-Benz Vito?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.6% of tests, followed by brakes (10.4%).
Does the 2013 Vito get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.3% in the 0-30k band to 21.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 31,355 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.