CarHistory.cc
‹ Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter years to avoid? MOT pass rate by year

15,969 initial MOT tests in 2025 on cars first used 2007–2020 · DVSA data · For guidance only · How we count

No Mercedes-Benz Sprinter year has an MOT pass rate clearly below the average for vehicles first used in the same year. Above it: 2007–2008, 2010–2013 and 2015. The other 6 years can't be told apart from average.

The MOT pass rate is one signal, not the whole story. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't record gearbox or engine faults, and a pass rate also reflects mileage and upkeep, so the table shows median mileage too. Whatever the year, the car in front of you matters more than its model's average.

73.1%passed first time

First-time pass rate, all years together: initial tests passed with no repairs. 95% range 72.4% to 73.7%.

In 2025, 73.1% of the 15,969 initial MOT tests on Mercedes-Benz Sprinter cars were passed with no repairs. The same-age average, for all vehicles first used in the same years, was 70.2%. That is 2.9 points above the same-age average.

Check a specific Sprinter

Its own MOT history, free.

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter MOT pass rate by year

Year is when the car was first used. Older vehicles fail more often, so each year is compared with all vehicles first used that year.

YearChartTestsmedian milesPassed first timeAgainst all vehicles that year
2020age 51,03364,60085.2%±2.3−0.8 ptsall: 86.0%
2019age 61,18789,70083.8%±2.3+0.3 ptsall: 83.5%
2018age 71,27288,70081.2%±2.3+0.3 ptsall: 80.9%
2017age 81,32298,10079.9%±2.3+1.7 ptsall: 78.2%
2016age 91,273100,60075.3%±2.5+0.4 ptsall: 74.9%
2015age 101,654119,40074.7%±2.2+2.8 ptsall: 71.9%
2014age 111,481125,90069.6%±2.4+1.0 ptsall: 68.6%
2013age 121,243131,20069.7%±2.7+3.9 ptsall: 65.8%
2012age 131,214133,20066.2%±2.8+2.7 ptsall: 63.5%
2011age 141,078138,30066.0%±2.9+4.8 ptsall: 61.2%
2010age 151,069140,00068.6%±2.9+9.3 ptsall: 59.3%
2008age 171,120144,00062.9%±2.9+5.7 ptsall: 57.2%
2007age 181,023145,40064.3%±3.0+6.9 ptsall: 57.4%

Tests are initial MOT tests in 2025, not retests. Median miles is the middle odometer reading at the test: half had more, half had less. ± is the 95% margin of error in points (Wilson interval): a difference smaller than that could be chance. Years without a link have fewer than 10,000 tests, so they are listed here but don't have their own page.

When a car's mileage doesn't add up

Common Sprinter problems at the MOT

Share of the 4,302 failed tests with a fault in each area, all years together. A test can count in more than one area, so these add up to more than 100%.

MOT records show roadworthiness faults, not engine or gearbox problems. Each year page compares that year's failure areas with all vehicles first used in the same year.

What to check when viewing a Sprinter

Based on the areas where Mercedes-Benz Sprinter MOT tests fail most often. These are general checks anyone can do, not a mechanical inspection.

  1. Brakes

    In 46.0% of failed Sprinter tests

    • On a clear road, brake firmly. The car should stop in a straight line without juddering or pulling to one side.
    • Check the handbrake holds the car on a slope.
    • Look through the wheels at the brake discs for deep grooves or a raised lip at the edge.

  2. Lights and electrics

    In 41.8% of failed Sprinter tests

    • Ask the seller to help you check every light: dipped and main beam, brake lights, indicators, fog lights and the number plate lamp.
    • Look for cracked, misted or yellowed headlight lenses.
    • Warning lights on the dashboard should come on with the ignition and go out once the engine starts.

Then read the car's own MOT history. Advisories in the same area at several tests are worth asking about.

Check a Sprinter's MOT history

After an MOT advisory

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter cars that passed their 2024 MOT first time with an advisory, and what their next MOT found, against similar cars that passed with nothing noted in that area. All first-use years together.

Tyres

Of Mercedes-Benz Sprinter cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a tyre advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 5.6% failed on tyres, against 1.9% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 1,139 and 10,355 cars.

  • With a tyre advisory5.6%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted1.9%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 17.2% of those with a tyre advisory and 17.4% of the others.

Brakes

Of Mercedes-Benz Sprinter cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a brake advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 17.9% failed on brakes, against 9.8% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 2,380 and 8,865 cars.

  • With a brake advisory17.9%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted9.8%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 19.1% of those with a brake advisory and 16.9% of the others.

Suspension

Of Mercedes-Benz Sprinter cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a suspension advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 10.7% failed on suspension, against 5.8% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 1,733 and 8,883 cars.

  • With a suspension advisory10.7%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted5.8%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 18.4% of those with a suspension advisory and 17.2% of the others.

Similar cars are the same model, first-use year and mileage band. Areas are the DVSA's top-level groups, so the later fail may not be the fault that was advised. These figures describe what happened to these cars. They don't show what a repair would have changed.

How we worked this out

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter questions

Which Mercedes-Benz Sprinter years have lower MOT pass rates?

Compared with all vehicles first used in the same year, no model year is clearly below average. Above average: 2007–2008, 2010–2013 and 2015. The rest can't be told apart from average. A pass rate is one signal: it also reflects mileage and upkeep, and doesn't record engine or gearbox faults.

Is the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter reliable?

MOT results show only part of the picture. In 2025, 73.1% of initial MOT tests on Mercedes-Benz Sprinter cars were passed with no repairs, against a same-age average of 70.2%. That is 2.9 points above average. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't measure breakdowns, engine or gearbox faults, or repair costs.

What are the most common Mercedes-Benz Sprinter problems at the MOT?

The most common failure areas are brakes (in 46.0% of failed tests) and lights and electrics (in 41.8% of failed tests). A failed test can count in more than one area.

What mileage is normal for a 10-year-old Mercedes-Benz Sprinter?

At their 2025 MOT tests, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter cars first used in 2015, about 10 years old, had a median of 119,400 miles. Half had more and half had less.

How do I check a specific Sprinter's MOT history?

Enter its registration in our free check. It lists that car's own MOT results, the faults and advisories recorded and the mileage at each test, and flags repeated advisories and mileage that goes down.

Check a car's MOT history for free

What MOT data can't tell you about any Mercedes-Benz Sprinter

Outstanding finance, write-offs, theft and plate changes aren't in MOT records. For a particular car, you need a history check.

Compare history checksWhat MOT history doesn't show

Other Mercedes-Benz models

Points above (+) or below (−) the same-age average for all vehicles.

All 23 Mercedes-Benz modelsCars ranked by MOT pass rate, by age

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests, 2025. For guidance only: these figures describe all Mercedes-Benz Sprinter cars tested, not the one you're looking at. How we count