Mercedes-Benz 500 MOT pass rate
87.0% of 2,454 Mercedes-Benz 500 MOT tests pass.
The 500 has a pass rate of 87.0%, a little higher than the average across all Mercedes-Benz models (83.5%).
The Mercedes-Benz 500 passes its MOT 87.0% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Mercedes-Benz 500?
This is the average across every Mercedes-Benz 500 in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Mercedes-Benz’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | too few tests (6) | 6 | no reading |
| 6–10 years | too few tests (3) | 3 | no reading |
| 10–15 years | too few tests (13) | 13 | no reading |
| 15+ years | 86.8% | 2,432 | 101,832 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Mercedes-Benz 500
The most common reason the Mercedes-Benz 500 fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 67.8% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 67.8% | Not working |
| Brakes | 33.7% | Excessively binding |
| Suspension | 25.7% | Ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Visibility | 15.7% | Not working |
| Body, chassis, structure | 15.7% | Component leaking |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 13.5% | Emissions carbon monoxide content excessive |
| Tyres | 8.5% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Steering | 7.2% | Ball joint has excessive play |
| Identification of the vehicle | 6.5% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
| Road Wheels | 3.2% | Fixing missing |
Related Mercedes-Benz models
- Mercedes-Benz GT — 96.6% pass rate
- Mercedes-Benz R-Class — 81.4% pass rate
- Mercedes-Benz Citan 109 Pure CDI — 78.4% pass rate
- Mercedes-Benz 230 — 77.9% pass rate
- Mercedes-Benz 280 — 82.2% pass rate
- Mercedes-Benz 420 — 84.1% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Mercedes-Benz 500?
- 87.0% of Mercedes-Benz 500 MOT tests pass, based on 2,454 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Mercedes-Benz 500?
- The most common reason the Mercedes-Benz 500 fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 67.8% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- Does this show the Mercedes-Benz 500's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Mercedes-Benz service history guide for how to check and keep one.