Mercedes Benz 220 MOT Failures
An analysis of 1,603 real DVSA MOT tests on the Mercedes Benz 220 — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads.
Where the Mercedes Benz 220 fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Mercedes Benz 220 is wheel bearings worn — this model is 13 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it worth watching for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 1,603 MOT tests, 11.31% of all Mercedes Benz 220 tests recorded this as a failure.
Suspension failures typically mean worn bushes, drop links, or dampers. These affect handling and tyre wear. Budget £150–£400 per corner at an independent garage for full suspension overhaul.
Other notable weak points include brake hoses perished or damaged (11x the fleet average), anti-roll bar links worn (7.9x the fleet average), and track rod ends worn (13x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Mercedes Benz 220's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.
The failures span 3 categories: Suspension, Brakes, Steering. If you're inspecting a Mercedes Benz 220 before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.
How failures change with mileage
The Mercedes Benz 220's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.
60,000 to 100,000 miles
This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.
The standout failure at this mileage is wheel bearings worn at 9.9x the fleet average.
Over 100,000 miles
High-mileage cars accumulate failures across multiple systems. The key question isn't whether things will need doing — they will — but whether the car has been maintained well enough to keep on top of them. Look for a consistent service history and recent MOT passes with minimal advisories.
For the Mercedes Benz 220 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are wheel bearings worn (13x the average) and track rod ends worn (13x). brake hoses perished or damaged (11x) and anti-roll bar links worn (7.9x) also appear frequently.
What to check before buying a Mercedes Benz 220
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Mercedes Benz 220:
Suspension — check for wheel bearings worn, anti-roll bar links worn. Brakes — check for brake hoses perished or damaged. Steering — check for track rod ends worn.
Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.
Looking at a specific Mercedes Benz 220?
Enter the reg to see its full MOT history, mileage records, write-off status, and finance checks.
Mercedes Benz 220 MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Mercedes Benz 220?
Based on 1,603 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is wheel bearings worn — at 13x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include brake hoses perished or damaged and anti-roll bar links worn.
Is the Mercedes Benz 220 reliable based on MOT data?
The Mercedes Benz 220 has 4 categories where it fails more often than average. The main concern is wheel bearings worn. Always check a specific car's full history before buying.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
Above 100,000 miles, the Mercedes Benz 220 most commonly fails on wheel bearings worn and track rod ends worn. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are .
How do I check a Mercedes Benz 220's MOT history?
Enter the registration number into our free car check above. You'll see every MOT test result, advisories and failures, mileage readings, write-off status, and finance checks.
MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.