2001 Mercedes-Benz Vito — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 2,027 MOT tests analysed for the 2001 Mercedes-Benz Vito, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, body, structure & corrosion and suspension. Its pass rate of 66.9% was below the average for vans of a similar age (70.2%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 21.3% | 431 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 20.0% | 406 |
| 3 | Suspension | 18.9% | 383 |
| 4 | Brakes | 16.7% | 338 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.5% | 152 |
| 6 | Steering | 5.1% | 104 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 506 |
| 2 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 250 |
| 3 | Joints | 250 |
| 4 | Chassis condition | 203 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 194 |
| 6 | Rbt (sp) | 172 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 43.3% | 878 |
| 2 | Suspension | 34.0% | 689 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 27.2% | 552 |
| 4 | Tyres | 22.9% | 465 |
| 5 | Other defects | 19.7% | 400 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 14.6% | 296 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 66 | 42.4% |
| 30-60k | 134 | 26.9% |
| 60-90k | 326 | 31.6% |
| 90-120k | 420 | 31.4% |
| 120-150k | 446 | 35.6% |
| 150k+ | 512 | 31.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 1,905 | 33.5% |
| Petrol | 122 | 27.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 617 | 33.1% |
| 2022 | 501 | 34.3% |
| 2023 | 375 | 33.6% |
| 2024 | 300 | 31.7% |
| 2025 | 234 | 31.6% |
What to check before buying a 2001 Vito
Before buying a 2001 Mercedes-Benz Vito, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 21.3% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (21.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (20.0% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
- Suspension (18.9% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2001 Mercedes-Benz Vitos pass their MOT?
66.9% of the 2,027 2001 Mercedes-Benz Vito MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 33.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Mercedes-Benz Vito?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 21.3% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (20.0%).
Does the 2001 Vito get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 42.4% in the 0-30k band to 31.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,027 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.