2017 Mercedes-Benz V-Class MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 78.5% of Mercedes-Benz V-Class cars first used in 2017 passed their MOT first time, against 78.2% for all cars first used in 2017. Across 6,824 V-Class first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were suspension, tyres and brakes.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Mercedes-Benz V-Class cars first used in 2017 (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
How the 2017 Mercedes-Benz V-Class MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, V-Class cars first used in 2017 against all cars first used in 2017 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the V-Class figure was in line with the all-cars figure.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2017 V-Class | All cars first used 2017 | V-Class first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 83.2% | 85.9% | 2,282 |
| 2022 | 83.3% | 83.9% | 2,297 |
| 2023 | 81.6% | 81.7% | 2,277 |
| 2024 | 80.7% | 79.8% | 2,274 |
| 2025 | 78.5% | 78.2% | 2,273 |
Common 2017 Mercedes-Benz V-Class MOT failures
Share of the 1,345 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%.
Most common failure items
| DVSA failure item | Share of failed first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | 22.0% | 296 |
| Ball joint: excessively worn | 15.3% | 206 |
| Tyre condition: has ply or cords exposed | 11.5% | 155 |
| Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm | 10.9% | 147 |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | 7.2% | 97 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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Typical repair costs for common MOT failures
Typical UK garage prices for the job, not for a V-Class in particular, and not a quote.
| Failure item | Typical job | Typical UK price | Usual range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | Coil spring replacement | £248 | £175–£400 |
| Ball joint: excessively worn | Ball joint replacement | £90 | £60–£150 |
From published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026. Only jobs with a published typical price are shown.
What to check on a 2017 Mercedes-Benz V-Class before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
- Tyres. Worth checking the tread depth across the whole width of each tyre, and the sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
- 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.
Common 2017 Mercedes-Benz V-Class MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2017 V-Class cars, as a share of all 6,824 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 15.3% | 1,045 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | 5.5% | 375 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 5.2% | 357 |
| Brake discs: worn, but not excessively | 4.6% | 311 |
| Ball joint: has slight play | 3.7% | 255 |
Questions about the 2017 Mercedes-Benz V-Class MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2017 Mercedes-Benz V-Class?
In 2025, 78.5% of V-Class cars first used in 2017 passed their MOT first time, against 78.2% for all cars first used in 2017. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2017 V-Class most often fail its MOT on?
Suspension (in 41.7% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), tyres (35.1%) and brakes (21.6%). The single most common item was “Coil spring: fractured or broken” (22.0%).
How often does a 2017 Mercedes-Benz V-Class fail its MOT?
In 2025, 21.5% of first tests on V-Class cars first used in 2017 did not pass first time: 18.7% failed, and a further 2.8% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 1,345 of 6,824 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2017 Mercedes-Benz V-Class MOT advisories?
“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 15.3% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (5.5%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (5.2%), “Brake discs: worn, but not excessively” (4.6%) and “Ball joint: has slight play” (3.7%).
Is a 2017 Mercedes-Benz V-Class 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 83.2% in 2021 to 78.5% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2017
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2017 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2017 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2017 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2017 Nissan Qashqai MOT statistics · 2017 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2017 V-Class?
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