Mercedes-Benz Viano MOT pass rate and common problems
74.6% of 8,993 Mercedes-Benz Viano MOT tests pass.
The Viano passes 74.6% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the average across all Mercedes-Benz models (83.5%).
At 74.6%, the Mercedes-Benz Viano passes slightly less often than the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Mercedes-Benz Viano?
This is the average across every Mercedes-Benz Viano 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 79.2% at 6–10 years to 71.1% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | too few tests (5) | 5 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | too few tests (8) | 8 | no reading |
| 6–10 years | 79.2% | 830 | 143,596 miles |
| 10–15 years | 76.5% | 4,576 | 154,379 miles |
| 15+ years | 71.1% | 3,574 | 149,866 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Mercedes-Benz Viano
The most common reason the Mercedes-Benz Viano fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 66.7% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 66.7% | Not working |
| Brakes | 52.0% | Efficiency below requirements |
| Suspension | 34.1% | Ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Tyres | 21.1% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Body, chassis, structure | 17.1% | System insecure |
| Visibility | 15.4% | Provides insufficient washer liquid |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 11.5% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 9.8% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
| Steering | 7.7% | Ball joint has excessive play |
| Road Wheels | 2.2% | Fixing missing |
Buying a used Mercedes-Benz Viano: what to check
These checks follow the Mercedes-Benz Viano’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 Viano comes between 10–15 years and 15+ years old, from 76.5% to 71.1%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 0–30,000 mi to 30,000–60,000 mi: 88.9% down to 82.3%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 66.7% of failed Mercedes-Benz Viano MOTs. 24.8% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 11.3% at 6–10 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.
2. Brakes
Recorded in 52.0% of failed Mercedes-Benz Viano MOTs.
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.
3. Suspension
Recorded in 34.1% of failed Mercedes-Benz Viano MOTs. 15.7% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension, against 4.8% at 6–10 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. Tyres
Recorded in 21.1% of failed Mercedes-Benz Viano MOTs.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
5. Bodywork and corrosion
Recorded in 17.1% of failed Mercedes-Benz Viano MOTs. 9.2% of tests at 15+ years failed on bodywork and corrosion, against 3.1% at 6–10 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.
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 GLB — 93.4% pass rate
- Mercedes-Benz G-Class — 92.7% pass rate
- Mercedes-Benz X-Class — 88.2% pass rate
- Mercedes-Benz Eqa — 91.6% pass rate
- Mercedes-Benz 300 — 81.3% pass rate
- Mercedes-Benz GL — 87.0% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Mercedes-Benz Viano?
- 74.6% of Mercedes-Benz Viano MOT tests pass, based on 8,993 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Mercedes-Benz Viano?
- The most common reason the Mercedes-Benz Viano fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 66.7% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- What are the common problems with the Mercedes-Benz Viano?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Mercedes-Benz Viano are lights and electrics; brakes; suspension. 24.8% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 11.3% at 6–10 years.
- What should I check when buying a used Mercedes-Benz Viano?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; brakes; suspension; tyres; bodywork and corrosion. 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 Viano'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.