2018 Mercedes-Benz Vito — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 37,988 MOT tests, the 2018 Mercedes-Benz Vito recorded an 83.5% pass rate. Vans of a similar age fail at 16.2%, so the 2018 Vito sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in brakes, tyres and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (6.6%) and tyres (5.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, wipers and malfunction indicator lamp — coil spring alone was recorded 1,538 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 10.2% in the 0-30k band and 17.8% in the 150k+ band, a 7.6-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 19.8% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 14.5% of tests failed in 2021 against 18.2% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 6.6% | 2,495 |
| 2 | Tyres | 5.7% | 2,176 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 5.6% | 2,126 |
| 4 | Suspension | 4.9% | 1,859 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.8% | 1,831 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.2% | 1,206 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coil spring | 1,538 |
| 2 | Wipers | 1,411 |
| 3 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 1,135 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 1,091 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 1,047 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 968 |
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 | 19.8% | 7,511 |
| 2 | Brakes | 16.6% | 6,318 |
| 3 | Visibility | 6.4% | 2,424 |
| 4 | Other defects | 4.8% | 1,812 |
| 5 | Suspension | 4.6% | 1,760 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.8% | 1,074 |
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 | 3,015 | 10.2% |
| 30-60k | 10,519 | 15.6% |
| 60-90k | 9,429 | 17.3% |
| 90-120k | 6,148 | 18.3% |
| 120-150k | 3,595 | 17.8% |
| 150k+ | 5,277 | 17.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 7,292 | 14.5% |
| 2022 | 7,692 | 16.2% |
| 2023 | 7,640 | 16.7% |
| 2024 | 7,673 | 17.0% |
| 2025 | 7,691 | 18.2% |
What to check before buying a 2018 Vito
On a 2018 Vito, brakes is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Brakes (6.6% 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.
- Tyres (5.7% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Lighting & signalling (5.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 2018 Mercedes-Benz Vitos pass their MOT?
83.5% of the 37,988 2018 Mercedes-Benz Vito MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 16.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2018 Mercedes-Benz Vito?
Brakes, recorded in 6.6% of tests, followed by tyres (5.7%).
Does the 2018 Vito get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.2% in the 0-30k band to 17.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 37,988 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.