Diesel Mercedes-Benz Vito: MOT pass rate

73.5% of diesel Mercedes-Benz Vitos pass the MOT first time, measured across 91,677 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 137,956.

Diesel against the other Mercedes-Benz Vito 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 Vito specifically, electric is the strongest at 88.2%, and this diesel version sits 0.1 points below the 73.6% 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 Vito had covered 137,956 miles at test, against 17,496 for the electric and 96,475 for the petrol. That is high mileage, so timing belts, clutches, suspension bushes and corrosion are the items worth budgeting for rather than the MOT itself.

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 Vito page separate age from fuel if you want to isolate one.

Most common MOT failures on a diesel Mercedes-Benz Vito

1. Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value, 2.2% of tests (6.02x the national rate for this defect)
2. Parking brake inoperative on one side, 2.4% of tests (4.02x the national rate for this defect)
3. Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement, 4.2% of tests (3.21x the national rate for this defect)
4. Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction, 2.9% of tests (2.31x the national rate for this defect)
5. The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, 2.1% of tests (2.19x the national rate for this defect)
6. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 4.1% of tests (1.8x the national rate for this defect)
7. A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED, 2% of tests (1.62x the national rate for this defect)
8. Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen, 2.6% of tests (1.57x the national rate for this defect)
9. The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 2.9% of tests (1.23x the national rate for this defect)
10. A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 2.3% of tests (1.23x the national rate for this defect)

From 92,534 DVSA-tracked diesel Mercedes-Benz Vito tests, 2024, split out from the Mercedes-Benz Vito's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 5.07% 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 Vito

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

1. Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced, 2.8% of tests (2.22x the national rate for this defect)
2. Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements, 3% of tests (2.19x the national rate for this defect)
3. The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, 3.1% of tests (2.02x the national rate for this defect), also fails
4. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 11.8% of tests (1.9x the national rate for this defect)
5. Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake, 3.4% of tests (1.71x the national rate for this defect)
6. Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users, 7.9% of tests (1.42x the national rate for this defect)
7. Brake disc or drum significantly and obviously worn, 4.2% of tests (1.31x the national rate for this defect)
8. Exhaust system leaking or insecure, 3.5% of tests (1.22x the national rate for this defect)
9. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 28% of tests
10. Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 11.8% of tests

From 92,534 DVSA-tracked diesel Mercedes-Benz Vito tests, 2024.

Other Mercedes-Benz Vito fuel types

• Electric Mercedes-Benz Vito - 88.2%
• Petrol Mercedes-Benz Vito - 67.2%

All Mercedes-Benz Vito MOT data · Every model