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MOT History from tests of diesel MERCEDES BENZ V-CLASSs year 1997

Review the list of common MERCEDES BENZ V-CLASS failures below or to perform a specific mot history check on your MERCEDES BENZ then use our popular KnowYourCar service

mot history
Pass percent:50.21%
(The average a diesel MERCEDES BENZ V-CLASS year 1997 passes without issue)
Based on:241 MOT Tests
Most common failuresNo# failures
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.B.7|26
Registration plate lamp issues23
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively21
Headlamp aim out of alignment17
Service brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.B.7|13
Brake pipe excessively corroded13
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|9
Nearside Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|5
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort5
Horn not working |1.6.2a|5
Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|5
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|5
Brake hose excessively deteriorated5
Registration plate issues5
Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|4
Offside Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|4
Offside Rear Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|4
Nearside Front Direction indicators incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|4
Offside Front Direction indicators incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|4
Brakes imbalanced across an axle4
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|4
Offside Front constant velocity joint gaiter insecurely mounted to its housing |2.5.C.1a|4
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened4
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.4.G.2|3
Nearside Steering rack gaiter split |2.2.D.2d|3
Front brake application uneven3
Offside Front Steering rack gaiter split |2.2.D.2d|3
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|3
Offside Side repeater incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|3
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak |2.7.3|3
Offside Rear brake disc excessively pitted |3.5.1h|3
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|3
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|3
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|3
Offside Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|3
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint |2.5.B.1a|3
Nearside Front constant velocity joint gaiter split |2.5.C.1a|3
Nearside Rear brake disc excessively pitted |3.5.1h|3
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault3
Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened3
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play |2.5.A.3c|3
Offside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter split |2.5.C.1a|3
Offside Outer Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc |2.5.C.1a|2
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|2
Nearside Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc |2.5.C.1a|2
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.4.G.2|2
Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault |5.4.2|2
Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement |7.2.4b|2
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive |7.3.D.3|2
Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter split |2.2.D.2d|2
Offside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside |1.8|2
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|2
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|2
Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))2
Offside Steering rack gaiter split |2.2.D.2d|2
Offside Rear Stop lamp|s| not working |4.3.1 |a| |ii||2
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp does not illuminate |3.4.1b|2
Rear Suspension has inadequate clearance with the bump stop |2.4.A.1a|2
Offside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated |8.2.2|2
Offside Front Position lamp not working |4.2.1 |a||2
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|2
Emissions not tested |7.0|2
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|2
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|2
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|2
Nearside Front Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|2
Nearside Front position lamp|s| incorrect colour |1.1.A.3e|2
Offside Front position lamp|s| incorrect colour |1.1.A.3e|2
Offside Direction indicator incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|2
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|2
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak |2.7.3|2
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak |2.7.3|2
Nearside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter insecurely mounted to its housing |2.5.C.1a|2
Offside Rear Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|2
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel |3.1.6b|2
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|2
Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|2
Brake hose damaged2
Fuel system component leaking |7.2.3|2
Offside Front Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|2
Front Direction indicator incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|2
Nearside Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|1
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle excessive |7.3.D.3|1
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|1
Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.2.C.1c|1
Nearside Rear Suspension has inadequate clearance with the bump stop |2.4.A.1a|1
Offside Rear Suspension has inadequate clearance with the bump stop |2.4.A.1a|1
Offside Rear Seat belt retracting mechanism defective |5.2.5b|1
Offside Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release |5.2.5a|1
Offside Rear Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release |5.2.5a|1
Offside Front Seat belt retracting mechanism defective |5.2.5b|1
Nearside Rear Brake hose twisted |3.6.B.4c|1
Offside Front Inner Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc |2.5.C.1a|1
Nearside Rear Seat belt retracting mechanism defective centre |5.2.5b|1
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage insecure |2.4.G.1|1
Offside Front position lamp|s| obscured more than 50% |1.1.A.3c|1
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering |6.1.A.1|1
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|1
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside |1.8|1
Nearside Front Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside |1.8|1
Offside Front Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside |1.8|1
Horn not working (7.7 (a) (ii))1
Nearside Rear Stop lamp(s) lens defective such that the emitted light is adversely affected (4.3.1 (b) (ii))1
Nearside Front Side repeater incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))1
Nearside Front Inner Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))1
Nearside Front Inner Steering rack has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel (steering rack fitted) Inner tie rod (2.3 (a) (i))1
Emissions not tested Vehicle overheated (8.2.1.2 (d))1
Nearside Front Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))1
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))1
Offside Rear Other passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))1
Offside Front Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (6.1.7 (g) (ii))1
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))1
Nearside Rear Brake disc significantly and obviously worn (1.1.14 (a) (i))1
Nearside Rear Brake lining(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii))1
Offside Rear Brake disc significantly and obviously worn (1.1.14 (a) (i))1
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength outer sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))1
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength outer sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))1
Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))1
Offside Front Outer Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc |2.5.C.1a|1
Nearside Rear Stop lamp|s| not working |4.3.1 |a| |ii||1
Offside Front Inner Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |6.1.7 |g| |ii||1
Offside Headlamp does not operate immediately when selected on main beam |1.7.4a|1
Offside Headlamp does not operate immediately when selected on dipped beam |1.7.4a|1
front brakes release unevenly |3.7.B.4|1
Nearside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced |1.7.5a|1
Offside Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc |2.5.C.1a|1
Rear passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle |6.2.B.1c|1
Rear brake binding1
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint excessively worn |5.3.4 |a| |i||1
Nearside Rear Coil spring fractured or broken |5.3.1 |b| |i||1
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image too far to the right |1.6.B4|1
Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|1
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|1
Nearside Rear coil spring incomplete |2.4.C.1a|1
Driver`s door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle |6.2.B.1b|1
Offside passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle |6.2.B.1c|1
Nearside Lower Front suspension has excessive play in an outer ball joint |2.5.B.2a|1
Offside Inner Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc |2.5.C.1a|1
Offside Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Nearside Rear Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|1
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|1
Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|1
Nearside Rear Brake cable has wires broken and is significantly weakened |3.5.1b|1
Offside Rear Brake cable has wires broken and is significantly weakened |3.5.1b|1
Nearside Outer Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter split |2.5.C.1a|1
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))1
Nearside Front Outer Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (6.1.7 (g) (ii))1
Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii))1
Offside Front coil spring broken |2.4.C.1a|1
Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.2.C.1c|1
Nearside Front Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release central seat belt |5.2.5a|1
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|1
Passenger`s airbag obviously defective |5.4.1|1
Trailer electrical socket damaged so that lead cannot be securely connected |1.9.3b|1
Nearside Rear rear brake juddering severely |3.7.A.5b|1
Parking brake efficiency below requirements |1.4.2 |a| |i||1
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.2.C.1c|1
Offside Obligatory mirror missing |8.1.1|1
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|1
Nearside Front coil spring broken |2.4.C.1a|1
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|1
Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits |8.2.1.2 |b||1
Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits |8.2.1.2 |c||1
Nearside Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.1.3 |g| |ii||1
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|1
Offside Front Lower Ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|1
Offside Rear Air suspension unit totally deflated |2.4.D.1a|1
Nearside Outer Front constant velocity joint gaiter insecurely mounted to its housing |2.5.C.1a|1
Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|1
Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|1
Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage worn and seriously weakened |2.4.G.1|1
Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage worn and seriously weakened |2.4.G.1|1
Nearside Rear Brake hose excessively damaged |3.6.B.4d|1
Offside Rear Brake hose excessively damaged |3.6.B.4d|1
Offside Front Direction indicators not working |1.4.A.2c|1
Nearside Front Front suspension has excessive movement at a wishbone pin or bush |2.5.A.1c|1
Offside Front Front suspension has excessive movement at a wishbone pin or bush |2.5.A.1c|1
Offside Front Fluid suspension unit leaking |2.4.D.2|1
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Front Headlamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.7.5c|1
Nearside Front Front position lamp|s| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.1.A.3f|1
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.C.1b|1
Offside Side repeater not working |1.4.A.2c|1
Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle |6.2.B.1b|1
Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|1
Nearside Rear coil spring fractured |2.4.C.1a|1
Offside Rear coil spring fractured |2.4.C.1a|1
Centre Rear passenger seat cannot be secured in the upright position. |6.2.3|1
Brake hose has insufficient room to move1
Nearside Outer Front constant velocity joint gaiter split |2.5.C.1a|1
Brake pedal spongy |3.3.B.1b|1
Parking brake lever, pawl mechanism pivots or their associated mountings are insecure |3.1.4b|1
Centre Rear Exhaust mounting missing |7.1.1b|1
Nearside Rear Coil spring not correctly located |2.4.C.2|1
Offside Rear Coil spring not correctly located |2.4.C.2|1
Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage modified and seriously weakened |2.4.A.2|1
Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage modified and seriously weakened |2.4.A.2|1
Offside Headlamp aim not tested |1.8.A.1c|1
Offside Front constant velocity joint gaiter split |2.5.C.1a|1
Rear brake disc excessively pitted |3.5.1h|1
Nearside Outer Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|1
Nearside Inner Front constant velocity joint gaiter damaged to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc |2.5.C.1a|1
Offside Front Lower Axle swivel joint has excessive play in a ball joint |2.5.A.3b|1
Nearside Rear Air suspension has no suspension movement |2.4.D.5|1
Offside Rear Air suspension has no suspension movement |2.4.D.5|1
Nearside Rear brake disc excessively scored |3.5.1h|1
Offside Rear brake disc excessively scored |3.5.1h|1
Centre Rear Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release |5.2.5a|1
Nearside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated |8.2.2|1
Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar worn and seriously weakened |2.4.G.1|1
Offside Rear Anti-roll bar worn and seriously weakened |2.4.G.1|1
Offside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter insecurely mounted to its housing |2.5.C.1a|1
Power steering inoperative |2.3.3a|1
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|1
Windscreen has damage1
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|1
Offside Front Ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|1
Anti-roll bar synthetic bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|1
Nearside Front Side repeater incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|1
Offside Front Side repeater incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|1
Offside Rear Anti-roll bar insecure |2.4.G.1|1
Offside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play |2.5.A.3c|1
Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar synthetic bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|1
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint |2.5.B.1a|1
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has negligible damping effect |2.7.5|1
Offside Rear Shock absorber has negligible damping effect |2.7.5|1
Nearside Headlamp aim not tested |1.8.A.1c|1
Offside Front Wheel stud|s| missing |4.2.A.1e|1
Nearside Front Wheel stud|s| missing |4.2.A.1e|1
Nearside Rear Wheel stud|s| missing |4.2.A.1e|1
Offside Rear Wheel stud|s| missing |4.2.A.1e|1
Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits |7.3.D.3|1
Offside Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak |2.7.3|1
Front position lamp|s| not in good working order |function impaired| |1.1.4a|1
Offside Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|1
Side repeater incorrect colour Both (4.4.3 (a))1
Nearside Front Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak1
Offside Front Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak1
Drivers seat with a defective structure (6.2.5 (a) (i))1
Brake pedal has insufficient reserve travel (1.1.2 (a))1
Offside Rear Shock absorber casing corroded externally so the unit does not function |2.7.2a|1
Offside Rear Position lamp has a product on the lens or light source which significantly reduces light intensity |4.2.3 |b| |ii||1
Nearside Front Coil spring fractured or broken |5.3.1 |b| |i||1
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect |1.8.A.1b|1
Nearside Front constant velocity joint gaiter insecurely mounted to its housing |2.5.C.1a|1
Offside Rear passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle |6.2.B.1c|1
Nearside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated |8.2.2|1
Side repeater incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|1
Nearside Front Lower Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|1
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|1
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|1
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak |2.7.3|1

We get to these numbers by trawling through over 1 billion MOT test results since 2004 and crunched the numbers. We remove anything to do with Tyres, as they are model independent and group together common non-model specific issues. We are trying to get to a picture of what models have what issues.

Please note: We take the data from the DVSA. This data is raw and can contain typos and spelling mistakes that garages may have entered while recording a MOT result. Specifically miss-match on names of models and makes. We are constantly cleaning the data so bear with the odd issue.

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