2001 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check

In 2025, 63.2% of Mercedes-Benz Sprinters first used in 2001 passed their MOT first time, against 61.1% for all cars first used in 2001. Across 1,888 Sprinter first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were lamps and electrical equipment, brakes and suspension.

This page analyses first MOT tests for Mercedes-Benz Sprinters first used in 2001 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.

Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026

Passed first time, 2025
63.2%
of 581 first tests; all cars first used in 2001: 61.1%. Fixed-at-the-test counts as a fail
Tests analysed
1,888
first tests, 2023–2025; 581 in 2025
Clean pass, 2025
24.6%
of 581 first tests in 2025, passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded
Typical mileage, tested in 2025
136,000
middle half: 86,500–188,000 miles; all cars first used in 2001: 99,500

How the 2001 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter MOT pass rate has changed

Share of first tests passed in each year, Sprinters first used in 2001 against all cars first used in 2001 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Sprinter figure was in line with the all-cars figure.

2001 SprinterAll cars first used in 2001
50%60%70%20212022202320242025Test year (first tests)All cars first used in 2001, test year 2021: 55.6%All cars first used in 2001, test year 2022: 57.4%All cars first used in 2001, test year 2023: 58.7%All cars first used in 2001, test year 2024: 59.4%All cars first used in 2001, test year 2025: 61.1%2001 Sprinter, test year 2021: 58.7%2001 Sprinter, test year 2022: 59.2%2001 Sprinter, test year 2023: 64.1%2001 Sprinter, test year 2024: 60.3%2001 Sprinter, test year 2025: 63.2%63.2%61.1%
View this chart as a table
Test year2001 SprinterAll cars first used 2001Sprinter first tests
202158.7%55.6%709
202259.2%57.4%713
202364.1%58.7%677
202460.3%59.4%630
202563.2%61.1%581

Common 2001 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter MOT failures

Share of the 707 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment62.2%
Brakes44.3%
Suspension33.4%
Body, chassis, structure23.9%
Visibility20.1%
Steering10.7%
Noise, emissions and leaks7.9%
Tyres7.4%

Most common failure items

DVSA failure itemShare of failed first testsTests
Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength15.8%112
Position lamp: not working14.0%99
Parking brake efficiency (sp): efficiency below requirements11.6%82
Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect10.9%77
Rear fog lamp: not working10.7%76

Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.

What to check on a 2001 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter before buying

The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.

  1. Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
  2. Brakes. Worth looking at the discs and pads through the wheel spokes for scoring and a worn lip, and noticing on the test drive whether the car pulls to one side or the pedal feels long.
  3. Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.

Common 2001 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter MOT advisories

Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2001 Sprinters, as a share of all 1,888 first tests, 2023–2025.

DVSA advisory itemShare of first testsTests
Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material20.5%387
Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened15.8%298
Play in steering rack inner joint(s)11.9%225
Ball joint: has slight play11.7%221
Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive7.5%142

Questions about the 2001 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter MOT

What is the MOT pass rate of a 2001 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter?

In 2025, 63.2% of Sprinters first used in 2001 passed their MOT first time, against 61.1% for all cars first used in 2001. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.

What does a 2001 Sprinter most often fail its MOT on?

Lamps and electrical equipment (in 62.2% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), brakes (44.3%) and suspension (33.4%). The single most common item was “Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength” (15.8%).

How often does a 2001 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter fail its MOT?

In 2025, 36.8% of first tests on Sprinters first used in 2001 did not pass first time: 28.9% failed, and a further 7.9% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 707 of 1,888 first tests did not pass first time.

What are the most common 2001 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter MOT advisories?

“Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material” (on 20.5% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (15.8%), “Play in steering rack inner joint(s)” (11.9%), “Ball joint: has slight play” (11.7%) and “Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive” (7.5%).

Is a 2001 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter reliable?

An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 58.7% in 2021 to 63.2% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.

Other cars first used in 2001

The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.

2001 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2001 Toyota Yaris MOT statistics · 2001 Volkswagen Transporter MOT statistics · 2001 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2001 BMW 3 Series MOT statistics

How the 2001 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter MOT data is calculated

Every number on this page is calculated by SortedCars from DVSA’s anonymised MOT test data for Great Britain, 2021–2025. “2001 Sprinter” means a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter whose date of first use falls in 2001 (X, Y and 51 plates), all trims grouped. Class 4 vehicles, first tests only — retests are not counted. Pass rate = passed ÷ all first tests; a car with a fault fixed during the test (PRS) counts as a fail. Our national first-test pass rate matches DVSA’s published figure (table DVSA/MOT/01) to within 0.04 points in every year. Clean pass = passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded. Mileage is the reading recorded at the test. Comparisons are with all cars first used in 2001, any make or fuel, and are not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use. Failure and advisory item names are DVSA’s own wording. No figure is shown for fewer than 500 tests; an item is shown only if it appears on at least 50 tests and 1% of the base. Pass rates describe a group of cars, not one car: a well-kept example can pass and a neglected one can fail. This page is general information, not advice about any particular vehicle; always have a used car inspected before you buy. SortedCars is not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. You can check any car’s MOT history free on the official service: gov.uk/check-mot-history. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.