2012 · 12 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2012 Mercedes-Benz B-Class MOT pass rate and common faults

5,730 MOT tests in 2024. 70.4% passed first time, compared with 64.3% for all cars the same age.

109Well above average
Passed first time70.4%
Failed or needed repairs29.6%
Typical mileage at test80,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 5,730 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt4.2%
  2. Coil spring: fractured or broken3.2%
  3. Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps2.6%
  4. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction2.3%
  5. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed2.2%
    164 marked dangerous
  6. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.0%
    152 marked dangerous
  7. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn2.0%
  8. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded1.9%
  9. Anti-roll bars - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.6%
  10. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.5%
    126 marked dangerous

Problem areas

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

  1. Suspension12.8%
  2. Lights & electrics12.5%
  3. Brakes8.7%
  4. Tyres7.9%
  5. Emissions & leaks3.4%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)3.0%
  7. Seat belts & airbags1.8%
  8. Wheels1.8%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm16.3%
  2. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded10.2%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened8.8%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure8.2%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick6.9%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover 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.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2012 Mercedes-Benz B-Class?

In 2024, 70.4% of 2012 Mercedes-Benz B-Class cars passed their MOT first time, across 5,730 tests. The average for all 12-year-old cars was 64.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2012 Mercedes-Benz B-Class?

The most common failure reasons were linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; coil spring: fractured or broken; registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps. The biggest problem area was suspension.

Is the 2012 Mercedes-Benz B-Class reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 109, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).