2005 · 19 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2005 Mercedes-Benz B-Class MOT pass rate and common faults

405 MOT tests in 2024. 56.3% passed first time, compared with 56.5% for all cars the same age.

100About average
Passed first time56.3%
Failed or needed repairs43.7%
Typical mileage at test101,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 405 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt10.9%
  2. Coil spring: fractured or broken6.4%
  3. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn3.5%
  4. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements3.5%
  5. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid3.2%
  6. Stop lamp: not working3.2%
  7. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction3.0%
  8. Pre 01/07/2008 Turbo: emissions exceed manufacturer's specified limit2.7%
  9. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded2.7%
  10. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.7%
    16 marked dangerous

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics28.1%
  2. Brakes22.0%
  3. Body & chassis17.8%
  4. Suspension14.8%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)10.4%
  6. Emissions & leaks10.1%
  7. Tyres9.1%
  8. Seat belts & airbags3.0%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded22.2%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm18.5%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened17.8%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure11.1%
  5. Registration plates: inscription illegible7.4%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year is about as good as an average car its age. Before buying, check the area that fails most: joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

All B-Class years2006 B-Class →

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2005 Mercedes-Benz B-Class?

In 2024, 56.3% of 2005 Mercedes-Benz B-Class cars passed their MOT first time, across 405 tests. The average for all 19-year-old cars was 56.5%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2005 Mercedes-Benz B-Class?

The most common failure reasons were joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; coil spring: fractured or broken; suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2005 Mercedes-Benz B-Class reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 100, which is about average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).