2003 Mercedes-Benz Vito — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 4,214 MOT tests analysed for the 2003 Mercedes-Benz Vito, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, body, structure & corrosion and suspension. Its pass rate of 64.7% was below the average for vans of a similar age (70.0%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 36.6% in the 150k+ group versus 29.3% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 23.1% | 974 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 21.1% | 887 |
| 3 | Suspension | 20.1% | 847 |
| 4 | Brakes | 18.5% | 779 |
| 5 | Visibility | 9.9% | 419 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.6% | 236 |
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 | 1,109 |
| 2 | Joints | 535 |
| 3 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 531 |
| 4 | Chassis condition | 448 |
| 5 | Rbt (sp) | 403 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 314 |
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 | 42.5% | 1,792 |
| 2 | Suspension | 30.9% | 1,302 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 29.6% | 1,249 |
| 4 | Tyres | 22.6% | 954 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 18.4% | 774 |
| 6 | Other defects | 16.0% | 672 |
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 | 75 | 29.3% |
| 30-60k | 214 | 31.3% |
| 60-90k | 504 | 34.1% |
| 90-120k | 928 | 34.6% |
| 120-150k | 1,036 | 35.6% |
| 150k+ | 1,326 | 36.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 4,102 | 35.4% |
| Petrol | 112 | 30.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,355 | 34.6% |
| 2022 | 1,050 | 36.7% |
| 2023 | 815 | 36.8% |
| 2024 | 530 | 30.0% |
| 2025 | 464 | 37.7% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Vito
Before buying a 2003 Mercedes-Benz Vito, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 23.1% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (23.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (21.1% 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 (20.1% 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 2003 Mercedes-Benz Vitos pass their MOT?
64.7% of the 4,214 2003 Mercedes-Benz Vito MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 35.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Mercedes-Benz Vito?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 23.1% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (21.1%).
Does the 2003 Vito get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 29.3% in the 0-30k band to 36.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,214 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.