2003 · 21 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2003 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter MOT pass rate and common faults

849 MOT tests in 2024. 62.0% passed first time, compared with 57.3% for all cars the same age.

108Well above average
Passed first time62.0%
Failed or needed repairs38.0%
Typical mileage at test132,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 849 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements6.2%
  2. Position lamp: not working4.8%
  3. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively4.2%
  4. Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps3.8%
  5. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded3.8%
  6. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength3.8%
  7. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect3.8%
  8. Integral vehicle structure condition: corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced3.1%
  9. Stop lamp: not working2.8%
  10. Rear fog lamp: not working2.2%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics41.1%
  2. Brakes31.2%
  3. Suspension15.8%
  4. Body & chassis12.5%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)9.7%
  6. Emissions & leaks4.8%
  7. Tyres4.0%
  8. Steering3.2%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded22.5%
  2. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened16.1%
  3. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn11.2%
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm9.3%
  5. Anti-roll bars - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn7.5%

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: rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements. 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 2003 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter?

In 2024, 62.0% of 2003 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter cars passed their MOT first time, across 849 tests. The average for all 21-year-old cars was 57.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2003 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter?

The most common failure reasons were rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements; position lamp: not working; wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2003 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 108, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).