Used car guide

2005 Mercedes-Benz B-Class: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2005 Mercedes-Benz B-Classs, from 324 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 324 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

324MOT tests in 2025
55%pass first time (all 2005 cars: 58%)
5,100typical miles a year
3.7×the usual rate for drive shaft (cv) joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2005 Mercedes-Benz B-Classs than on all cars registered in 2005.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints3.7× usual
    Mercedes-Benz B-Class
    26.9% All 2005 cars
    7.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 11.4%, against 3.2% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

Better than most

Engine oil leaks: 6.2% here, against 14.5% of all 2005 cars.

By area

The share of 2005 Mercedes-Benz B-Class MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    48% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Suspension
    37% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Lights and electrics
    33% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Tyres
    31% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    27% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    15% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2019599Tyres 25%
20183,892Tyres 31%
20175,689Tyres 29%
20165,353Tyres 31%
20155,654Tyres 32%
20148,185Tyres 32%
20136,957Tyres 33%
20125,658Tyres 32%
20113,373Brakes 42%
20104,279Brakes 44%
20093,989Brakes 48%
20083,072Brakes 51%
20072,249Brakes 47%
20061,611Brakes 51%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2005 Mercedes-Benz B-Classs registered in 2005. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score