2004 Mercedes-Benz Vito — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 7,796 MOT tests analysed for the 2004 Mercedes-Benz Vito, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 68.2% was below the average for vans of a similar age (70.1%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 21.7% | 1,693 |
| 2 | Suspension | 18.4% | 1,431 |
| 3 | Brakes | 14.7% | 1,146 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.8% | 1,078 |
| 5 | Visibility | 8.2% | 639 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 5.9% | 464 |
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 | 1,753 |
| 2 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 854 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 746 |
| 4 | Chassis condition | 739 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 702 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 504 |
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 | 43.4% | 3,385 |
| 2 | Suspension | 29.9% | 2,332 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 25.8% | 2,010 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 24.5% | 1,910 |
| 5 | Tyres | 24.3% | 1,898 |
| 6 | Other defects | 13.1% | 1,019 |
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 | 159 | 35.9% |
| 30-60k | 222 | 23.4% |
| 60-90k | 792 | 28.2% |
| 90-120k | 1,626 | 32.8% |
| 120-150k | 1,652 | 33.1% |
| 150k+ | 3,063 | 31.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 7,724 | 31.9% |
| Petrol | 72 | 29.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,483 | 33.0% |
| 2022 | 1,927 | 31.8% |
| 2023 | 1,473 | 31.3% |
| 2024 | 1,082 | 30.2% |
| 2025 | 831 | 31.5% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Vito
Before buying a 2004 Mercedes-Benz Vito, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 21.7% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (21.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (18.4% 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.
- Brakes (14.7% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
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 2004 Mercedes-Benz Vitos pass their MOT?
68.2% of the 7,796 2004 Mercedes-Benz Vito MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Mercedes-Benz Vito?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 21.7% of tests, followed by suspension (18.4%).
Does the 2004 Vito get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 35.9% in the 0-30k band to 31.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 7,796 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.