2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter · 4,052 MOT tests
2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter reliability
2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinters fail 31.9% of first MOT tests, 8% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 16 of 21 Sprinter years (4,052 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Mercedes-Benz Sprinters: 29.2%)
- 31.9%
- first-time fail rate (all Mercedes-Benz Sprinters: 29.2%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 8% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 11
- 123,313
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 11
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 4,052
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2012 against the years either side
- 2011 cars: 19% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2012 car does worse)
- 2013 cars: 20% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2012 car does worse)
- Weak spot: seat belts and airbags, 3.1% of tests fail here (153% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: tyres, 66% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2012 car carries a 61 plate (January–February 2012), or a 12 plate (March–August 2012), or a 62 plate (September–December 2012).
Common problems
What fails on a 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
Fail rate by area
- Brakes17.4%
- Lights and electrics13.7%
- Suspension5.6%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks4.4%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors4.2%
- Steering3.8%
- Seat belts and airbags3.1%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 5.7%
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 2.96%
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
Track rod end ball joint excessively worn 2.52%
Worn steering ball joints can affect steering control and safety, so repair is needed before the car is driven.
Parking brake efficiency under half required 2.47%
The parking brake is well below required strength and is unlikely to hold the car on a slope.
Position lamp not working 2.15%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
ABS warning lamp shows a fault 2.12%
A lit ABS warning means the anti-lock system may not work, so wheels could lock during emergency braking.
Common advisories
Brake pipes corroded and greasy (14.39%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (11.99%) · Slight play in steering rack joints (11.28%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (6.47%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (6.39%) · Suspension ball joint slight play (6.37%)
Other years
Every Mercedes-Benz Sprinter year
The full picture: Mercedes-Benz Sprinter reliability. Before you pay for any Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter reliable?
2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinters fail 31.9% of first MOT tests, 8% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 16 of 21 Sprinter years (4,052 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter MOT?
Most often parking brake efficiency below minimum (5.7% of tests), rigid brake pipe excessively corroded (2.96% of tests), track rod end ball joint excessively worn (2.52% of tests).
How many miles should a 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter have done?
At its MOT aged about 11, a typical 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter shows 123,313 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2012 car?
A car first registered in 2012 carries a 61 plate (January–February 2012), or a 12 plate (March–August 2012), or a 62 plate (September–December 2012).
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