2021 Mercedes-Benz Vito — MOT failures & pass rate
7,383 MOT tests on the 2021 Mercedes-Benz Vito are in this dataset, and 87.7% of them passed. Vans of a similar age fail at 13.2%, so the 2021 Vito sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, tyres and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (5.3%) and tyres (4.9%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, headlamp aim and brake pads — wipers alone was recorded 264 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 7.2% in the 0-30k band and 19.2% in the 150k+ band, a 12.0-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 17.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 3.1% of tests failed in 2021 against 14.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 5.3% | 390 |
| 2 | Tyres | 4.9% | 362 |
| 3 | Brakes | 4.5% | 331 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.2% | 310 |
| 5 | Suspension | 2.1% | 155 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.8% | 56 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 264 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 246 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 149 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 134 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 117 |
| 6 | Rbt (sp) | 115 |
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 | 17.1% | 1,264 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.1% | 894 |
| 3 | Visibility | 6.3% | 469 |
| 4 | Suspension | 6.0% | 447 |
| 5 | Other defects | 4.2% | 312 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 1.3% | 92 |
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 | 1,305 | 7.2% |
| 30-60k | 2,654 | 10.8% |
| 60-90k | 1,686 | 13.1% |
| 90-120k | 815 | 16.7% |
| 120-150k | 442 | 17.0% |
| 150k+ | 480 | 19.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 7,338 | 12.3% |
| Electric | 42 | 9.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 96 | 3.1% |
| 2022 | 340 | 4.4% |
| 2023 | 527 | 7.8% |
| 2024 | 3,178 | 12.0% |
| 2025 | 3,242 | 14.4% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Vito
On a 2021 Vito, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 5.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (5.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (4.9% 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.
- Brakes (4.5% 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.
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 2021 Mercedes-Benz Vitos pass their MOT?
87.7% of the 7,383 2021 Mercedes-Benz Vito MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 12.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Mercedes-Benz Vito?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 5.3% of tests, followed by tyres (4.9%).
Does the 2021 Vito get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.2% in the 0-30k band to 19.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 7,383 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.