Mercedes-Benz Sprinter MOT pass rate and common problems
76.9% of 37,612 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter MOT tests pass.
The Sprinter passes 76.9% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the average across all Mercedes-Benz models (83.5%).
At 76.9%, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter passes slightly less often than the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Mercedes-Benz Sprinter?
This is the average across every Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 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
Pass rate declines noticeably with age, from 87.3% at 0–3 years to 70.0% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 87.3% | 537 | 59,847 miles |
| 3–6 years | 88.3% | 4,897 | 81,700 miles |
| 6–10 years | 82.7% | 9,161 | 125,519 miles |
| 10–15 years | 75.1% | 8,982 | 145,049 miles |
| 15+ years | 70.0% | 14,035 | 140,895 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
The most common reason the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter fails its MOT is brakes — present in 82.5% of failed tests, most often logged as "Efficiency below requirements".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 82.5% | Efficiency below requirements |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 81.9% | Not working |
| Suspension | 36.9% | Prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength |
| Body, chassis, structure | 22.1% | Corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced |
| Visibility | 19.9% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 13.1% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Steering | 11.1% | Ball joint has excessive play |
| Tyres | 10.7% | Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 7.5% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
| Identification of the vehicle | 2.8% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
Buying a used Mercedes-Benz Sprinter: what to check
These checks follow the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter comes between 6–10 years and 10–15 years old, from 82.7% to 75.1%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 60,000–90,000 mi to 90,000–120,000 mi: 79.6% down to 73.5%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Brakes
Recorded in 82.5% of failed Mercedes-Benz Sprinter MOTs. 29.9% of tests at 15+ years failed on brakes, against 11.4% at 0–3 years.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
2. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 81.9% of failed Mercedes-Benz Sprinter MOTs. 36.4% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 14.5% at 0–3 years.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
3. Suspension
Recorded in 36.9% of failed Mercedes-Benz Sprinter MOTs. 19.1% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension, against 0.9% at 0–3 years.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
4. Bodywork and corrosion
Recorded in 22.1% of failed Mercedes-Benz Sprinter MOTs. 13.0% of tests at 15+ years failed on bodywork and corrosion, against 1.1% at 0–3 years.
Look underneath and along the sills for corrosion, especially near suspension and seat-belt mountings. Uneven panel gaps or mismatched paint can indicate accident repair.
5. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 19.9% of failed Mercedes-Benz Sprinter MOTs.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Mercedes-Benz service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Mercedes-Benz models
- Mercedes-Benz CLK — 71.1% pass rate
- Mercedes-Benz SL — 88.1% pass rate
- Mercedes-Benz CLS — 81.0% pass rate
- Mercedes-Benz Citan — 72.0% pass rate
- Mercedes-Benz V-Class — 87.1% pass rate
- Mercedes-Benz SLC — 89.8% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter?
- 76.9% of Mercedes-Benz Sprinter MOT tests pass, based on 37,612 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter?
- The most common reason the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter fails its MOT is brakes — present in 82.5% of failed tests, most often logged as "Efficiency below requirements".
- What are the common problems with the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter are brakes; lights and electrics; suspension. 29.9% of tests at 15+ years failed on brakes, against 11.4% at 0–3 years.
- What should I check when buying a used Mercedes-Benz Sprinter?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: brakes; lights and electrics; suspension; bodywork and corrosion; windscreen and wipers. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter'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.