Diesel Mercedes-Benz V: MOT pass rate

83.6% of diesel Mercedes-Benz Vs pass the MOT first time, measured across 10,627 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 102,297.

Diesel against the other Mercedes-Benz V versions

Why the fuel type changes the number

Diesels carry DPFs, EGR valves and stricter smoke limits, so emissions and exhaust faults account for failures petrol cars never see.

On the Mercedes-Benz V specifically, diesel is the strongest at 83.6%, and this diesel version sits 0.4 points above the 83.2% model average.

What it means if you are buying one

There is little to choose between fuel types on this model, so decide on running costs and mileage rather than MOT record. Buying a damaged one? run it through the analyzer, check the exact car, decode the VIN and check the mileage before you bid.

Mileage is part of the answer

The average diesel Mercedes-Benz V had covered 102,297 miles at test, against 81,931 for the petrol. That is above average and into the range where cambelts and water pumps are due if they have not already been done, so ask for the service history rather than take the mileage on trust.

Fuel type and mileage are tangled together: diesels are usually bought by higher-mileage drivers, so some of any gap between fuels is the miles rather than the engine. The per-year figures on the Mercedes-Benz V page separate age from fuel if you want to isolate one.

Most common MOT failures on a diesel Mercedes-Benz V

1. Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value, 1% of tests (2.62x the national rate for this defect)
2. A tyre cords visible or damaged, 2.7% of tests (1.61x the national rate for this defect)
3. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 3.4% of tests (1.47x the national rate for this defect)
4. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 3.2% of tests
5. A tyre seriously damaged, 2.9% of tests
6. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 2.7% of tests
7. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 1.7% of tests
8. Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen, 1.6% of tests
9. A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, 0.8% of tests
10. Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction, 0.8% of tests

From 10,720 DVSA-tracked diesel Mercedes-Benz V tests, 2024, split out from the Mercedes-Benz V's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 9.49% of these flagged defects as "dangerous", against 5.11% nationally. See which fuel type fails on the most dangerous defects nationally for how that compares across the whole fleet.

Most common MOT advisories on a diesel Mercedes-Benz V

Flagged but doesn't fail the car, a different list from the failures above.

1. Brake disc or drum significantly and obviously worn, 5.7% of tests (1.8x the national rate for this defect)
2. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 26.3% of tests, also fails
3. Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 8.3% of tests
4. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 6.8% of tests, also fails
5. A tyre seriously damaged, 4.4% of tests, also fails
6. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 4.3% of tests, also fails
7. A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, 3.7% of tests, also fails
8. Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users, 1.2% of tests
9. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 1.1% of tests
10. Number plate inscription missing or illegible, 1% of tests

From 10,720 DVSA-tracked diesel Mercedes-Benz V tests, 2024.

Other Mercedes-Benz V fuel types

• Petrol Mercedes-Benz V - 62.2%

All Mercedes-Benz V MOT data · Every model