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Mercedes-Benz Viano reliability

B · Good

MOT pass rates and common problems from 46,084 MOT tests of cars first registered 2004–2015.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
65.9%pass first time
+4.7 ptsvs typical car
Beats 68%of cars
46,084MOT tests

Verdict

The Mercedes-Benz Viano passes its MOT first time on 65.9% of tests, 4.7 points higher than a typical car of the same age and mileage (61.3%). That puts it ahead of 68% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2010 Viano does best (beats 75% of cars) and the 2015 worst (beats 42%).

Better than average on suspension, body & structure, emissions & leaks.

Watch these weak spots

Seat belts & airbags2.0×as often as a typical car
Indicator side repeaters4.5×as often as a typical car
Handbrake performance1.9×as often as a typical car
Airbag warning light3.3×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

50%60%70%80%90%45678910111213141516171881%75%70%67%65%61%60%60%
Mercedes-Benz VianoTypical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

2004
Beats 61%
2005
Beats 67%
2006
Beats 68%
2007
Beats 70%
2008
Beats 72%
2009
Beats 73%
2010
Beats 75%
2011
Beats 67%
2012
Beats 73%
2013
Beats 65%
2014
Beats 60%
2015
Beats 42%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

EngineYearsTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.1 Diesel2004–201534,36065.2%Beats 67%B
3.0 Diesel2007–201411,72468.1%Beats 71%B

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Exhaust: 3.9% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 5.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Suspension: 7.8% of tests fail on suspension, against 14.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Lights: 17.3% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 18.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Tyres: 6.5% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Brakes: 11.4% of tests fail on brakes, against 10.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Lights: 17.3% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 18.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+1.4 ptsTyres: 6.5% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+1.3 ptsBrakes: 11.4% of tests fail on brakes, against 10.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes−0.9 ptsSuspension: 7.8% of tests fail on suspension, against 14.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+6.5 ptsExhaust: 3.9% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 5.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust+1.1 ptsSuspension: 7.8% of tests fail on suspension, against 14.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Brakes: 11.4% of tests fail on brakes, against 10.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Tyres: 6.5% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Lights: 17.3% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 18.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Exhaust: 3.9% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 5.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Lights: 17.3% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 18.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+1.4 ptsTyres: 6.5% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+1.3 ptsBrakes: 11.4% of tests fail on brakes, against 10.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes−0.9 ptsSuspension: 7.8% of tests fail on suspension, against 14.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+6.5 ptsExhaust: 3.9% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 5.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust+1.1 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Brakes: 11.4% of tests fail on brakes, against 10.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Lights & electrics
17.3% vs 18.6%
Brakes
11.4% vs 10.6%
Suspension
7.8% vs 14.4%
Tyres
6.5% vs 7.9%
Visibility
4.9% vs 6.1%
Body & structure
4.2% vs 5.5%
Emissions & leaks
3.9% vs 5.0%
Seat belts & airbags
3.7% vs 1.8%
Steering
2.2% vs 3.2%
Wheels
0.6% vs 0.6%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Indicator side repeaters 4.5× typical
    Walk around with the lights on: bulb failures are the easiest MOT fails to avoid.
  • Handbrake performance 1.9× typical
    Check the handbrake holds the car firmly on a slope.
  • Exhaust system 1.5× typical
    Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look for heavy corrosion underneath.
  • Headlight aim
    Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.
  • Tyre damage & cracking
    Look for cuts, bulges and cracking on both sidewalls of every tyre.
  • Tyre tread depth
    Check every tyre, including the inner edge, has at least 3 mm of tread. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

50%60%70%80%90%30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k110k120k130k140k150k76%72%67%64%64%64%63%
Mercedes-Benz VianoTypical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Handbrake performance5.2%2.8%1.9×
Headlight aim3.9%4.8%0.8×
Tyre damage & cracking3.6%3.9%0.9×
Indicator side repeaters3.6%0.8%4.5×
Sidelights3.5%5.2%0.7×
Airbag warning light2.8%0.8%3.3×
Brake lights2.7%3.4%0.8×
Tyre tread depth2.7%3.7%0.7×
Windscreen washers2.6%2.9%0.9×
Headlight bulbs & units2.6%3.4%0.8×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defectper 1,000
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements39.4
A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning37.8
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn32.7
Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement32.4
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning28.8
An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction27.9
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements27.0
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen26.2
Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2015 Mercedes-Benz Viano1 engine71.6% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.1 Diesel1,05571.6%Beats 42%C
2014 Mercedes-Benz Viano2 engines72.3% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.1 Diesel4,56172.5%Beats 62%B
3.0 Diesel1,63371.6%Beats 51%C
2013 Mercedes-Benz Viano2 engines70.6% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.1 Diesel4,18470.4%Beats 65%B
3.0 Diesel1,98671.0%Beats 64%B
2012 Mercedes-Benz Viano2 engines69.9% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.1 Diesel3,84569.4%Beats 72%B
3.0 Diesel1,52471.4%Beats 77%B
2011 Mercedes-Benz Viano2 engines66.5% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.1 Diesel2,68067.0%Beats 70%B
3.0 Diesel1,60765.7%Beats 63%B
2010 Mercedes-Benz Viano2 engines66.1% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.1 Diesel2,79066.0%Beats 75%B
3.0 Diesel1,18566.4%Beats 75%B
2009 Mercedes-Benz Viano2 engines64.0% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.1 Diesel2,88962.8%Beats 69%B
3.0 Diesel1,14067.0%Beats 81%A
2008 Mercedes-Benz Viano2 engines62.3% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.1 Diesel2,47160.2%Beats 66%B
3.0 Diesel1,55865.7%Beats 80%A
2007 Mercedes-Benz Viano2 engines60.8% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.1 Diesel2,78460.0%Beats 68%B
3.0 Diesel1,09162.8%Beats 75%B
2006 Mercedes-Benz Viano1 engine59.7% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.1 Diesel2,80259.7%Beats 68%B
2005 Mercedes-Benz Viano1 engine58.1% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.1 Diesel2,63058.1%Beats 67%B
2004 Mercedes-Benz Viano1 engine54.5% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.1 Diesel1,66954.5%Beats 61%B

FAQ

What is the Mercedes-Benz Viano MOT pass rate?

65.9% of MOT tests on the Mercedes-Benz Viano were passed first time, based on 46,084 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 2004–2015. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 61.3% of the time.

Is the Mercedes-Benz Viano reliable?

On MOT results it rates B (good): it passes first time more often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 68% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Mercedes-Benz Viano year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2010 Viano does best for its age and mileage: it beats 75% of cars on UK roads. The 2015 does worst: it beats 42%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Mercedes-Benz Viano?

The most common failure items are handbrake performance, headlight aim, tyre damage & cracking. Compared with similar cars, indicator side repeaters comes up 4.5× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.