2020 Mercedes-Benz V-Class MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 82.6% of Mercedes-Benz V-Class cars first used in 2020 passed their MOT first time, against 86.0% for all cars first used in 2020. Across 2,745 V-Class first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were tyres, visibility (wipers, washers and windscreen) and brakes.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Mercedes-Benz V-Class cars first used in 2020 (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 2020 Mercedes-Benz V-Class MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, V-Class cars first used in 2020 against all cars first used in 2020 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the V-Class figure was 3.4 points lower.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2020 V-Class | All cars first used 2020 | V-Class first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | fewer than 500 tests | 84.7% | 78 |
| 2022 | fewer than 500 tests | 90.2% | 167 |
| 2023 | 84.1% | 87.7% | 892 |
| 2024 | 83.1% | 86.9% | 915 |
| 2025 | 82.6% | 86.0% | 938 |
Common 2020 Mercedes-Benz V-Class MOT failures
Share of the 460 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre condition: has ply or cords exposed | 21.5% | 99 |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | 16.7% | 77 |
| Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm | 14.6% | 67 |
| Tyre condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | 13.0% | 60 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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What to check on a 2020 Mercedes-Benz V-Class before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Tyres. Worth checking the tread depth across the whole width of each tyre, and the sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
- Wipers and windscreen. Worth checking that the wipers clear the screen cleanly, that the washers work, and that there are no chips or cracks in the driver’s view.
- 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 2020 Mercedes-Benz V-Class MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2020 V-Class cars, as a share of all 2,745 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 17.4% | 478 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | 6.6% | 181 |
| Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil | 4.6% | 125 |
| Brake discs: worn, but not excessively | 4.0% | 110 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 3.7% | 101 |
Questions about the 2020 Mercedes-Benz V-Class MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2020 Mercedes-Benz V-Class?
In 2025, 82.6% of V-Class cars first used in 2020 passed their MOT first time, against 86.0% for all cars first used in 2020. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2020 V-Class most often fail its MOT on?
Tyres (in 55.7% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), visibility (wipers, washers and windscreen) (20.9%) and brakes (18.0%). The single most common item was “Tyre condition: has ply or cords exposed” (21.5%).
How often does a 2020 Mercedes-Benz V-Class fail its MOT?
In 2025, 17.4% of first tests on V-Class cars first used in 2020 did not pass first time: 15.0% failed, and a further 2.3% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 460 of 2,745 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2020 Mercedes-Benz V-Class MOT advisories?
“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 17.4% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (6.6%), “Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil” (4.6%), “Brake discs: worn, but not excessively” (4.0%) and “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (3.7%).
Is a 2020 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 84.1% in 2023 to 82.6% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2020
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2020 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2020 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2020 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2020 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2020 MINI Hatch MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2020 V-Class?
The numbers above cover every V-Class first used in 2020 and tested in Great Britain. Our free check shows the actual MOT history, mileage record and tax status of the one you are looking at.
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