MOT History from tests of petrol 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:44.50%

(The average a petrol MERCEDES BENZ V-CLASS year 1997 passes without issue)

Based on:5,065 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	747
Registration plate lamp issues	563
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	474
Brake pipe excessively corroded	406
Headlamp aim out of alignment	327
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	269
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	220
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault	188
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive \|7.3.D.3\|	167
Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	133
Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits \|7.3.D.3\|	126
Registration plate issues	125
Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	124
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	117
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	112
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	110
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	110
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive \|7.3.D.4\|	110
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	105
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	85
Nearside Side repeater incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	82
Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	77
Offside Side repeater incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	74
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	74
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	73
Nearside Front constant velocity joint gaiter split \|2.5.C.1a\|	71
Offside Front constant velocity joint gaiter split \|2.5.C.1a\|	71
Nearside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	68
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	67
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	63
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	63
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	60
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	59
Offside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	56
Offside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter split \|2.5.C.1a\|	55
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	54
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	53
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	51
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	51
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	48
Windscreen has damage	47
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	46
Nearside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter split \|2.5.C.1a\|	46
Driver`s door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	44
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	44
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp does not illuminate \|3.4.1b\|	43
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle excessive \|7.3.D.3\|	43
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	42
Offside Front Side repeater incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	42
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	42
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	40
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	39
Rear Air suspension has no suspension movement \|2.4.D.5\|	39
Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	39
Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	39
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	38
Nearside Front constant velocity joint gaiter insecurely mounted to its housing \|2.5.C.1a\|	38
Offside Rear brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	38
Offside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	37
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	37
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	35
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	35
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	35
Brake hose has insufficient room to move	34
Nearside Front Side repeater incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	34
Offside Front constant velocity joint gaiter insecurely mounted to its housing \|2.5.C.1a\|	34
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	31
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	31
Nearside Rear brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	31
Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	30
Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	29
Nearside Front Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	28
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	28
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	27
Offside Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	27
Offside Obligatory mirror seriously damaged, affecting the rear view \|8.1.2a\|	27
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	26
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	25
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	25
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	25
Nearside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	24
Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault \|5.4.2\|	24
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	24
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	24
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	23
Offside Front Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	23
Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement \|7.2.4b\|	22
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\|	22
Offside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	22
Offside Outer Front constant velocity joint gaiter split \|2.5.C.1a\|	22
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	21
Nearside Outer Front constant velocity joint gaiter split \|2.5.C.1a\|	20
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	20
Rear brake binding	19
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\|	19
Nearside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter insecurely mounted to its housing \|2.5.C.1a\|	19
Rear brake application uneven	19
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	19
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	19
Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	18
Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))	17
Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	17
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	17
Offside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter insecurely mounted to its housing \|2.5.C.1a\|	17
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	16
Brake pedal spongy \|3.3.B.1b\|	16
Brake hose damaged	16
Side repeater incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	16
Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	16
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.4.G.2\|	16
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	15
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	15
Offside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	15
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	14
Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	14
Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone `A` \|8.3.1e\|	14
Rear brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	14
Offside Rear Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	14
Offside Front constant velocity joint gaiter damaged to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc \|2.5.C.1a\|	14
Offside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	14
Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	14
Offside Front coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	14
Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	14
Windscreen wiper blade insecure	14
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.4.G.2\|	13
Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	13
Offside Rear brake disc excessively scored \|3.5.1h\|	13
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	13
Offside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter damaged to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc \|2.5.C.1a\|	13
Offside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	13
Offside Rear passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1c\|	13
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	13
Offside Rear Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	13
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	13
Offside Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc \|2.5.C.1a\|	12
Nearside Rear Air suspension unit totally deflated \|2.4.D.1a\|	12
Front Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	12
Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	12
Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	12
Parking brake efficiency below requirements \|1.4.2 \|a\| \|i\|\|	12
Offside Outer Front constant velocity joint gaiter insecurely mounted to its housing \|2.5.C.1a\|	12
Offside Front Driver`s door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	12
Nearside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	12
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working \|1.3.1b\|	12
Offside Rear Wheel bolt\|s\| missing \|4.2.A.1e\|	12
Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	11
Centre Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	11
Offside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	11
Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	11
Nearside Rear passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1c\|	11
Nearside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	11
Front brake application uneven	11
Nearside Front coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	11
Nearside Front constant velocity joint gaiter damaged to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc \|2.5.C.1a\|	11
Nearside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	11
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.4.G.2\|	11
Windscreen washer not working	11
Exhaust tailpipe not capable of allowing the emission probe to be inserted \|7.3.D.1\|	11
Offside Rear Anti-roll bar rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	11
Nearside Rear Air suspension has no suspension movement \|2.4.D.5\|	10
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	10
Offside Rear Suspension has inadequate clearance with the bump stop \|2.4.A.1a\|	10
Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))	10
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	10
Offside Headlamp excessively damaged so that the light output is severely reduced \|1.7.5a\|	10
Nearside Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc \|2.5.C.1a\|	10
Offside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.4.G.2\|	10
Nearside Rear brake disc excessively scored \|3.5.1h\|	10
Offside Rear Air suspension unit totally deflated \|2.4.D.1a\|	10
Nearside Rear Suspension has inadequate clearance with the bump stop \|2.4.A.1a\|	10
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\|	10
Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	10
Nearside Headlamp excessively damaged so that the light output is severely reduced \|1.7.5a\|	10
Centre Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	10
An item not tested \|Manual\|	10
Offside Front Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	10
Nearside Front Wheel bolt\|s\| missing \|4.2.A.1e\|	10
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	10
Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	10
Nearside Outer Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	10
Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	10
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	10
Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	10
Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	10
Nearside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	9
Offside Rear Air suspension has no suspension movement \|2.4.D.5\|	9
Nearside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter damaged to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc \|2.5.C.1a\|	9
Emissions not tested \|7.3.A.1\|	9
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	9
Rear Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	9
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	9
Brake performance not tested \|3.7.A.1\|	9
Nearside Front constant velocity joint is insecure \|2.5.C.1b\|	9
Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii))	9
brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	9
Rear Suspension has inadequate clearance with the bump stop \|2.4.A.1a\|	9
Nearside Outer Front constant velocity joint gaiter insecurely mounted to its housing \|2.5.C.1a\|	9
Offside Front Wheel bolt\|s\| missing \|4.2.A.1e\|	9
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.C.1b\|	9
Offside Front coil spring broken \|2.4.C.1a\|	9
Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	9
Rear Exhaust has a part missing \|7.1.1a\|	9

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.

Got suggestions? We’re improving this section all the time. If you have any suggestions, please let us know.

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

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