Used car guide

2013 Mercedes-Benz B-Class: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2013 Mercedes-Benz B-Classs, from 6,957 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

6,957MOT tests in 2025
71%pass first time (all 2013 cars: 66%)
6,700typical miles a year
4.2×the usual rate for link ball joint covers

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2013 Mercedes-Benz B-Classs than on all cars registered in 2013.

  • Link ball joint covers4.2× usual
    Mercedes-Benz B-Class
    8.4% All 2013 cars
    2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, against 1.1% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Wheels1.9× usual
    Mercedes-Benz B-Class
    2.7% All 2013 cars
    1.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.3%, against 0.5% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

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

Better than most

Suspension arm bushes and joints: 0.7% here, against 8.7% of all 2013 cars. Shock absorbers: 0.7% here, against 6% of all 2013 cars.

By area

The share of 2013 Mercedes-Benz B-Class MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    33% 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.

  • Suspension
    25% 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.

  • Brakes
    22% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    15% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    7% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Seats and seatbelts
    3% of testsRough price £80–£250

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

Looking at a Mercedes-Benz B-Class?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2019599Tyres 25%
20183,892Tyres 31%
20175,689Tyres 29%
20165,353Tyres 31%
20155,654Tyres 32%
20148,185Tyres 32%
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 2013 Mercedes-Benz B-Classs registered in 2013. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score