2014 Mercedes-Benz Vito — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2014 Mercedes-Benz Vito passed 79.2% of its 30,052 recorded MOT tests. Against vans of a similar age (23.0% fail rate), the 2014 Vito comes out 2.2pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 12.5% of all tests — 3.1 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are rbt (sp), headlamp aim and malfunction indicator lamp — rbt (sp) alone was recorded 1,604 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 15.3% in the 0-30k band and 22.9% in the 150k+ band, a 7.6-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 23.8% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 18.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 21.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.5% | 3,745 |
| 2 | Brakes | 9.4% | 2,824 |
| 3 | Suspension | 6.0% | 1,803 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 5.4% | 1,623 |
| 5 | Tyres | 4.8% | 1,443 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.5% | 1,357 |
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) | 1,604 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 1,198 |
| 3 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 983 |
| 4 | Washers | 950 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 899 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 775 |
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 | 23.8% | 7,145 |
| 2 | Brakes | 18.3% | 5,492 |
| 3 | Suspension | 14.4% | 4,333 |
| 4 | Other defects | 9.2% | 2,750 |
| 5 | Visibility | 8.5% | 2,550 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.6% | 1,988 |
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 | 354 | 15.3% |
| 30-60k | 2,099 | 14.0% |
| 60-90k | 4,742 | 17.2% |
| 90-120k | 6,035 | 21.0% |
| 120-150k | 5,389 | 22.4% |
| 150k+ | 11,422 | 22.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,994 | 18.7% |
| 2022 | 6,093 | 20.2% |
| 2023 | 6,101 | 21.5% |
| 2024 | 6,037 | 22.1% |
| 2025 | 5,827 | 21.5% |
What to check before buying a 2014 Vito
On a 2014 Vito, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 12.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (12.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (9.4% 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 (6.0% 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 2014 Mercedes-Benz Vitos pass their MOT?
79.2% of the 30,052 2014 Mercedes-Benz Vito MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 20.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2014 Mercedes-Benz Vito?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.5% of tests, followed by brakes (9.4%).
Does the 2014 Vito get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.3% in the 0-30k band to 22.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 30,052 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.