Used car guide

2019 Mercedes-Benz V: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2019 Mercedes-Benz Vs, from 2,899 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,899MOT tests in 2025
84%pass first time (all 2019 cars: 84%)
14,800typical miles a year
2.4×the usual rate for shock absorbers

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2019 Mercedes-Benz Vs than on all cars registered in 2019.

  • Shock absorbers2.4× usual
    Mercedes-Benz V
    6.1% All 2019 cars
    2.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 0.4% of all 2019 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

  • Ball joint3.1× usual
    Mercedes-Benz V
    3.1% All 2019 cars
    1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.8%, against 0.4% of all 2019 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.

  • Coil springs2.6× usual
    Mercedes-Benz V
    2.3% All 2019 cars
    0.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.1%, against 0.7% of all 2019 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

By area

The share of 2019 Mercedes-Benz V MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    22% 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.

  • Brakes
    14% 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
    12% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    5% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Lights and electrics
    3% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    1% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Looking at a Mercedes-Benz V?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2022621Tyres 21%
2021579Tyres 25%
2020933Tyres 27%
20182,400Tyres 22%
20172,242Tyres 23%
20161,497Tyres 25%
2015879Tyres 24%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2019 Mercedes-Benz Vs registered in 2019. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score