MPV and people carrier · 1997–2021 cars
Mercedes-Benz V-Class reliability
The Mercedes-Benz V-Class fails 17% of first MOT tests, 24% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 43,970 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Mercedes-Benz V-Class before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 17%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 24% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 43,970
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 14,900
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Mercedes-Benz V-Class ages
Each point is the share of Mercedes-Benz V-Classs of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Mercedes-Benz V-Class | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 14.5% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 14.5% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 15.7% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 16.8% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 16.3% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 18.1% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 14% | 28.8% |
| 20 | 43.9% | 42.8% |
| 21 | 43.6% | 41.4% |
| 22 | 45.9% | 40.6% |
| 23 | 38.7% | 38.9% |
| 24 | 52.4% | 37.1% |
By year
The best and worst Mercedes-Benz V-Class years
2015 cars come out best and 2020 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 455 | 14.5% | 12% more fails | 29,313 |
| 2020 V-Class | 2,122 | 13.7% | 9% fewer fails | 40,074 |
| 2019 V-Class | 9,921 | 12.9% | 29% fewer fails | 61,351 |
| 2018 V-Class | 9,483 | 16.3% | 15% fewer fails | 63,964 |
| 2017 V-Class | 8,760 | 16.6% | 26% fewer fails | 87,672 |
| 2016 V-Class | 6,214 | 17.2% | 32% fewer fails | 97,533 |
| 2015 V-Class | 4,226 | 18% | 37% fewer fails | 121,200 |
| 2003 | 280 | 44.6% | 2% more fails | 114,114 |
| 2002 | 488 | 41.4% | 6% fewer fails | 137,729 |
| 2001 | 320 | 45% | 6% more fails | 126,386 |
| 1999 | 319 | 47.3% | 15% more fails | 119,654 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Mercedes-Benz V-Class
Failures by area, against cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Tyres6.1%5% above avg
- Suspension5%0% above avg
- Brakes4.1%15% below avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors2.9%25% below avg
- Lights and electrics2.5%69% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks1.4%41% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure1.4%24% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags0.6%16% below avg
- Wheels0.4%18% above avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Coil spring fractured or broken 1.68% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 2
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.61% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 3
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 1.61% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 4
Tyre ply or cords exposed 1.54% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 5
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 1.18% of tests
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
- 6
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 1.15% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 7
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 1.01% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 8
Parking brake efficiency under half required 0.61% of tests
The parking brake is well below required strength and is unlikely to hold the car on a slope.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Mercedes-Benz V-Class's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit11.03%
- Brake pads wearing thin4.44%
- Brake disc pitted or scored3.96%
- Brake discs showing some wear2.97%
- Tyre worn close to legal limit1.76%
- Shock absorber light oil misting1.75%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Mercedes-Benz V-Class
- 1
Coil spring fractured or broken
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 2
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 3
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 4
Tyre ply or cords exposed
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A typical Mercedes-Benz V-Class covers about 14,900 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Diesel96.5%
- Petrol3.4%
- LPG0.1%
- Electric0%
Most common colours
Black, Silver, Blue, Grey, White
Average engine size: 2.1 litres.
Compare
How the Mercedes-Benz V-Class compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz V-Class | 17% | 24% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Nissan Elgrand | 29% | 17% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Volkswagen Caravelle | 33.5% | 4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| SEAT Altea | 41.2% | 4% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Ford Tourneo | 25.6% | 10% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mazda 5 | 48.2% | 22% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Citroën C4 Grand Picasso | 28.6% | 49% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every mpv and people carrier ranked in the mpv and people carrier reliability index, or all Mercedes-Benz models.
Questions
Mercedes-Benz V-Class questions, answered
Is the Mercedes-Benz V-Class reliable?
On MOT results, the Mercedes-Benz V-Class is better than average: it fails 17% of first MOT tests, 24% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 8 of 49 mpv and people carrier models in our index.
What fails most on a Mercedes-Benz V-Class MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Mercedes-Benz V-Class are coil spring fractured or broken (1.68% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (1.61% of tests), wiper blade not clearing windscreen (1.61% of tests). By area, tyres fails 6.1% of its tests.
Which Mercedes-Benz V-Class year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2015 cars do best (37% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2020 cars do worst (9% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Mercedes-Benz V-Class do a year?
A typical Mercedes-Benz V-Class covers about 14,900 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.
How do I check a Mercedes-Benz V-Class before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
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