Mercedes-Benz B-Class common problems by mileage
What UK MOT testers flag on the Mercedes-Benz B-Class at each age and mileage, compared with all cars.
In 72,997 UK MOT tests of the Mercedes-Benz B-Class in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is side repeaters (not working): recorded on 4% of tests of 2009–2011 cars at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km), 13× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: linkage ball joint dust cover (ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt) (8×); registration plate lamp(s) (inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps) (6.8×); rigid brake pipes (corroded, covered in grease or other material) (4.5×). The most common reasons a Mercedes-Benz B-Class fails its MOT are coil spring (fractured or broken); joints (constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt); registration plate lamp(s) (inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps).
Last updated: · Source: DVSA anonymised MOT data 2023
What stands out on the Mercedes-Benz B-Class
Parts that MOT testers flag clearly more often on the Mercedes-Benz B-Class than on all cars of the same age at the same mileage (at least 1.5× the rate and 3% of tests).
| Issue | Type | First used | Mileage | Share of tests | All cars this age | Ratio | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Side repeaters: not working | MOT fail | 2009–2011 | 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 4% | 0.3% | 13× | 676 |
| Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | MOT fail | 2013–2015 | 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) | 4.8% | 0.6% | 8× | 1,435 |
| Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps | MOT fail | 2016–2018 | 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 4.1% | 0.6% | 6.8× | 1,638 |
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material | Advisory | 2009–2011 | 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) | 24% | 5.2% | 4.5× | 2,151 |
| Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded | MOT fail | 2008–2010 | 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 3.8% | 1.1% | 3.5× | 3,017 |
| Flexible brake hoses: slightly deteriorated | Advisory | 2004–2006 | 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 5.6% | 1.3% | 4.3× | 515 |
| Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | MOT fail | 2004–2006 | 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 11% | 3.1% | 3.6× | 722 |
| Individual direction indicators: slightly discoloured | Advisory | 2009–2011 | 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 4.5% | 1.6% | 2.8× | 2,012 |
Mercedes-Benz B-Class by mileage (2017–2019 cars)
The most-tested first-use years. For each mileage band: how many MOT tests, the most common item, and the item that stands out most against other cars.
| Mileage | Tests | Most common | Stands out |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) | 3,630 | Tyres (condition): slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (9.4%) | — |
| 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 6,494 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (12%) | — |
| 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 2,823 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (14%) | — |
| 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 798 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (17%) | Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps (4.1%, 5.9×) |
Mercedes-Benz B-Class by first-use year
| First used | Tests | Biggest stand-out issue |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 530 | Flexible brake hoses: slightly deteriorated at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (4.3×) |
| 2006 | 2,439 | Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (3.1×) |
| 2007 | 3,151 | Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (3.1×) |
| 2008 | 3,908 | Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (3.3×) |
| 2009 | 4,731 | Side repeaters: not working at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (9×) |
| 2010 | 4,832 | Side repeaters: not working at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (13×) |
| 2011 | 3,757 | Side repeaters: not working at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (7.8×) |
| 2012 | 5,895 | Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt at 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) (5.2×) |
| 2013 | 7,191 | Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt at 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) (5.8×) |
| 2014 | 8,356 | Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (8×) |
| 2015 | 5,702 | Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (8.4×) |
| 2016 | 5,374 | Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (6×) |
| 2017 | 5,745 | Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (6.8×) |
| 2018 | 3,980 | Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (5.9×) |
| 2019 | 4,316 | Brake discs: worn, but not excessively at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (1.7×) |
| 2020 | 3,016 | Nothing stands out |
How these numbers are made
From the DVSA anonymised MOT data for 2023: every normal MOT test of a car in Great Britain, with its mileage and every advisory and failure item. For each first-use year (pooled with the years either side) and 20,000-mile band we count the share of tests where a part was recorded, and compare it with the same share for every car of that age at that mileage. A cell is shown only with 300 or more tests. Advisories are tester notes, not failures. Figures describe UK-market cars; engines and equipment can differ in other countries.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (DVSA anonymised MOT data, 2023).
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the Mercedes-Benz B-Class?
In 72,997 UK MOT tests of the Mercedes-Benz B-Class in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is side repeaters (not working): recorded on 4% of tests of 2009–2011 cars at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km), 13× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: linkage ball joint dust cover (ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt) (8×); registration plate lamp(s) (inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps) (6.8×); rigid brake pipes (corroded, covered in grease or other material) (4.5×). The most common reasons a Mercedes-Benz B-Class fails its MOT are coil spring (fractured or broken); joints (constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt); registration plate lamp(s) (inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps).
Why do Mercedes-Benz B-Classs fail the MOT?
Across 72,997 MOT tests in 2023, the most common failure items on the Mercedes-Benz B-Class were coil spring (fractured or broken) (5% of tests); joints (constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt) (8.1% of tests); registration plate lamp(s) (inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps) (3.4% of tests).
At what mileage do Mercedes-Benz B-Class problems start?
The clearest Mercedes-Benz B-Class-specific issue, side repeaters (not working), peaks against other cars at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) on 2009–2011 cars (4% of tests vs 0.3% for all cars that age).
Where does this Mercedes-Benz B-Class data come from?
From the UK government's anonymised MOT test data (DVSA, 2023, Open Government Licence v3.0): 72,997 tests of the Mercedes-Benz B-Class. VinSnap shows the same numbers for your own car's age and mileage in the app.