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MOT History from tests of diesel MERCEDES BENZ V-CLASSs year 1998

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:42.13%
(The average a diesel MERCEDES BENZ V-CLASS year 1998 passes without issue)
Based on:254 MOT Tests
Most common failuresNo# failures
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.B.7|36
Brake pipe excessively corroded26
Registration plate lamp issues21
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively20
Headlamp aim out of alignment19
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault16
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort15
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|10
Service brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.B.7|9
Brake hose excessively deteriorated9
Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|7
Registration plate issues7
Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|7
Offside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside |1.8|7
Offside Side repeater incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|6
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|6
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|5
Nearside Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|5
Nearside Front Direction indicators incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|5
Offside Front Direction indicators incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|5
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside |1.8|5
Offside Steering rack gaiter split |2.2.D.2d|5
Nearside Front constant velocity joint gaiter split |2.5.C.1a|5
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive |7.3.D.4|5
Offside Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|4
Nearside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter split |2.5.C.1a|4
Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits |7.3.D.3|4
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|4
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|4
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened4
Nearside Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|4
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|4
Rear Air suspension has no suspension movement |2.4.D.5|4
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|4
Windscreen wiper blade insecure4
Nearside Side repeater incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|4
Offside Front Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|3
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint |2.5.B.1a|3
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|3
Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement |7.2.4b|3
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|3
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|3
Nearside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated |8.2.2|3
Offside Obligatory mirror seriously damaged, affecting the rear view |8.1.2a|3
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|3
Offside Front Steering rack gaiter split |2.2.D.2d|3
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|3
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|3
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|3
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|3
Horn not working |1.6.2a|3
Driver`s door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle |6.2.B.1b|3
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|3
Offside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image |1.2.4a|3
Offside Front constant velocity joint gaiter split |2.5.C.1a|3
Emissions not tested |7.0|3
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive |7.3.D.3|3
Centre Exhaust mounting missing |7.1.1b|3
Nearside Rear Brake hose twisted |3.6.B.4c|3
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|3
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|3
Centre Rear Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release |5.2.5a|2
Offside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter split |2.5.C.1a|2
Parking brake efficiency below requirements |1.4.2 |a| |i||2
Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|2
Nearside Front Brake pipe leaking |3.6.A.1|2
Windscreen has damage2
Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault |5.4.2|2
Offside Outer Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter split |2.5.C.1a|2
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|2
Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone `A` |8.3.1e|2
Nearside Rear brake disc excessively pitted |3.5.1h|2
Offside Rear brake disc excessively scored |3.5.1h|2
Front Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|2
Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|2
Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|2
Offside Front Inner Front constant velocity joint gaiter damaged to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc |2.5.C.1a|2
Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter split |2.2.D.2d|2
Nearside Front Side repeater incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|2
Offside Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|2
Nearside Rear Air suspension has no suspension movement |2.4.D.5|2
Nearside Rear Air suspension unit totally deflated |2.4.D.1a|2
Offside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated |8.2.2|2
Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|2
Offside Side repeater not working |1.4.A.2c|2
Offside Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|2
Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|2
Brakes imbalanced across an axle2
Offside Front coil spring broken |2.4.C.1a|2
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|2
Offside Rear Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release |5.2.5a|2
Offside Outer Front constant velocity joint gaiter insecurely mounted to its housing |2.5.C.1a|2
Nearside Rear passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle |6.2.B.1c|2
Front Exhaust mounting missing |7.1.1b|2
Nearside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint |2.5.B.1a|2
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle excessive |7.3.D.3|2
Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened2
Exhaust hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))2
Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))2
Nearside Rear Wheel bolt|s| missing |4.2.A.1e|2
Offside Rear Brake hose twisted |3.6.B.4c|2
Nearside Body has a sharp edge caused by damage |6.1.C.1|2
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint |2.5.B.1a|2
Nearside Front constant velocity joint gaiter damaged to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc |2.5.C.1a|2
Offside Front coil spring fractured |2.4.C.1a|2
Nearside Front Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|2
Centre Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated |7.1.1a|2
Nearside Front position lamp|s| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|1
Nearside Track rod end loose |2.2.B.1d|1
Offside Headlamp excessively damaged so that the light output is severely reduced |1.7.5a|1
Nearside Steering column shaft has excessive end float |2.1.3|1
Offside Steering column shaft has excessive end float |2.1.3|1
Rear Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive |7.3.D.3|1
Direction indicators not in good working order |function impaired| |1.5.A1b|1
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage severely distorted |2.4.G.1|1
Offside Rear Upper Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush |2.7.4|1
Offside Front Service brake indicates brake judder |3.7.D.1|1
Nearside Front Service brake indicates brake bind |3.7.D.2a|1
Nearside Front Coil spring fractured or broken |5.3.1 |b| |i||1
Offside Front Coil spring fractured or broken |5.3.1 |b| |i||1
Offside Rear Coil spring fractured or broken |5.3.1 |b| |i||1
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover missing |5.3.4 |b| |ii||1
Nearside Front Brake hose porous |1.1.12 |e||1
Offside Front Brake hose porous |1.1.12 |e||1
Nearside Front Road wheel fixing missing |5.2.1 |a| |i||1
Offside Front Road wheel fixing missing |5.2.1 |a| |i||1
Offside Rear Service brake excessively binding |1.2.1 |f||1
Service brake efficiency below requirements |1.2.2 |a| |i||1
Offside Outer Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter damaged to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc |2.5.C.1a|1
Nearside Rear position lamp|s| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|1
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage insecure |2.4.G.1|1
Nearside Outer Front constant velocity joint gaiter split |2.5.C.1a|1
Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Rear Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded outer |2.4.A.3|1
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded inner |2.4.A.3|1
Offside Front Outer Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded front to rear |5.2.6|1
Offside Front Inner Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded front to rear |5.2.6|1
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp does not illuminate |3.4.1b|1
Front Upper Fuel pipe leaking |7.2.3|1
Offside Front Front constant velocity joint is excessively worn |2.5.C.1b|1
Offside Headlamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.7.5c|1
Offside Front Brake hose excessively damaged |3.6.B.4d|1
brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened all four |3.5.1i|1
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|1
Offside Rear Wheel stud|s| missing |4.2.A.1e|1
Power steering malfunctioning |2.3.3a|1
Nearside Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt upper and lower |5.3.4 |b| |ii||1
Offside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt upper and lower |5.3.4 |b| |ii||1
Nearside Rear Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength sill |5.3.6 |a| |i||1
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn |5.3.4 |a| |i||1
Nearside Front 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
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|1
Offside Rear Wheel bolt|s| loose |4.2.A.1e|1
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|1
Fuel system component leaking |7.2.3|1
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|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 Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|1
Brake pedal anti-slip provision incomplete |3.3.A.1b|1
Rear Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|1
front brake juddering severely |3.7.A.2b|1
Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect |1.8.A.1b|1
Hazard warning switch faulty |1.4.B.1d|1
Nearside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by damage |6.1.C.1|1
Offside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by damage |6.1.C.1|1
Offside Side repeater incomplete |1.5.A1b|1
Offside Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|1
Nearside Rear brake disc excessively scored |3.5.1h|1
Rear brake application uneven1
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|1
Brake performance not tested |3.7.A.1|1
Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|1
Brake pedal creeps down while the pedal is held under pressure |3.3.B.1a|1
Rear brake binding1
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Side repeater incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|1
Nearside Steering rack gaiter split |2.2.D.2d|1
Nearside Rear Seat belt retracting mechanism defective |5.2.5b|1
Offside Front position lamp|s| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|1
Offside Front Upper Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.4.G.2|1
Nearside Front Lower Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.4.G.2|1
Nearside Headlamp excessively damaged so that the light output is severely reduced |1.7.5a|1
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp missing |1.3.2a|1
Nearside Front Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside |1.8|1
Nearside Front Obligatory mirror seriously damaged, affecting the rear view |8.1.2a|1
Nearside Rear Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image |1.2.4a|1
Nearside Front Front position lamp|s| incorrect colour |1.1.A.3e|1
Rear Front position lamp|s| incorrect colour |1.1.A.3e|1
Offside Rear Front constant velocity joint gaiter split |2.5.C.1a|1
Nearside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image |1.2.4a|1
Offside Front Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside |1.6.B1|1
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside |1.6.B1|1
Offside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside |1.6.B1|1
Nearside Front Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users |1.8.A.1a|1
Offside Front Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users |1.8.A.1a|1
Offside Side repeater insecure |1.4.A.2b|1
Nearside Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|1
Offside Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|1
Nearside Front drive shaft coupling flexible rubber or fabric coupling softened by oil contamination |2.5.C.1e|1
Offside Front brake disc excessively scored |3.5.1h|1
Nearside brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened |3.5.1i|1
Offside Rear fog lamp missing |1.3.2a|1
Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle |6.2.B.1b|1
Nearside Front coil spring incomplete |2.4.C.1a|1
Offside Front coil spring incomplete |2.4.C.1a|1
Fluid leak harmful to the environment or a risk to other road users (8.4.1 (a) (i))1
Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))1
Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))1
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))1
Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|1
Nearside Front Direction indicators not working |1.4.A.2c|1
Rear Rear fog lamp not working |4.5.1 |a| |ii||1
Front brake disc excessively pitted |3.5.1h|1
Rear Exhaust mounting missing |7.1.1b|1
Exhaust tailpipe not capable of allowing the emission probe to be inserted |7.3.D.1|1
Offside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced |1.7.5a|1
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|1
Offside Front constant velocity joint gaiter insecurely mounted to its housing |2.5.C.1a|1
Offside Rear brake disc excessively pitted |3.5.1h|1
Nearside Front Wheel bolt|s| missing |4.2.A.1e|1
Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play |2.5.A.3c|1
Brake pedal spongy |3.3.B.1b|1
Nearside Rear Upper Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Rear Upper Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|1
Brake fluid warning lamp illuminated |3.6.G.2|1
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|1
Driver`s door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle |6.2.B.1b|1
Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely by positive means |7.2.4b|1
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage insecure |2.4.G.1|1
Offside Rear Brake pipe inadequately clipped |3.6.B.1|1
Nearside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter insecurely mounted to its housing |2.5.C.1a|1
Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|1
Nearside Rear Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint |2.5.B.1a|1
Front Direction indicators incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|1
Offside Rear Direction indicators incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|1
Nearside Front constant velocity joint gaiter insecurely mounted to its housing |2.5.C.1a|1
Offside Front All position lamps not working |1.1.A.3b|1
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel |3.1.6b|1
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak |2.7.3|1
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|1
Offside Front Suspension arm attachment bracket/mounting bolt missing |2.4.G.1|1
Anti-roll bar linkage rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|1
Nearside Front Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect |1.8.A.1b|1
Offside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint |2.5.B.1a|1
Exhaust emits excessive dense blue smoke during acceleration |7.3.A.2c|1
Rear Road wheel bead rim badly distorted |4.2.A.1a|1
Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength o/s/r inner sill (susp arm mount area ) (5.3.6 (a) (i))1
Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|1
Bumper likely to become detached front bumper insecure |6.1.4 |a| |ii||1
Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt o/s/f inner cv boot split |6.1.7 |g| |ii||1
Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement temp cap fitted |7.2.4b|1
Front Direction indicator incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|1
Nearside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded middle |5.2.6|1
Nearside Outer Front constant velocity joint gaiter insecure to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc |2.5.C.1a|1
Nearside Front 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 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 Front Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|1
Rear Stop lamp insecure |1.2.1a|1
Fuel pipe leaking |7.2.3|1
Brake hose has insufficient room to move1
brake disc excessively scored |3.5.1h|1
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|1
Front constant velocity joint gaiter split |2.5.C.1a|1
Nearside Front Brake hose stretched |found during steering lock to lock check| |2.2.D.2b|1
Offside Front Brake hose stretched |found during steering lock to lock check| |2.2.D.2b|1
Offside Rear Brake pipe leaking |3.6.A.1|1
Rear Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|1
Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|1
Nearside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering inner and outer sill panell |6.1.A.1|1
Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Rear All position lamps not working |1.1.A.3b|1
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|1
Hazard warning lamps inoperative |1.4.B.1b|1
Rear fog lamp obviously incorrectly positioned |1.3.2a|1
Offside Front position lamp|s| obscured more than 50% |1.1.A.3c|1
Offside Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|1
Offside Rear Air suspension has no suspension movement |2.4.D.5|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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