What are the most common problems with a 2020 Mercedes-Benz V-Class?

The biggest MOT weak spot is shock absorbers: flagged on 7.1% of tests, 3.6× the rate for all 2020 cars.

What should I ask the seller before buying a used 2020 Mercedes-Benz V-Class?

Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 3.6× as often on the 2020 Mercedes-Benz V-Class as on other cars the same age.) Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Used car guide

2020 Mercedes-Benz V-Class: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Mercedes-Benz V-Class first registered in 2020: we looked at the 933 MOTs these cars had during 2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

933MOTs of 2020 cars, done in 2025

83%pass first time (all 2020 cars: 86%)

12,200typical miles a year

3.6×the usual rate for shock absorbers

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2020 Mercedes-Benz V-Class?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2020 Mercedes-Benz V-Class than on all cars registered in 2020.

Shock absorbers3.6× usual

Mercedes-Benz V-Class
7.1% All 2020 cars
2%

Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.3% of all 2020 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.

Common 2020 Mercedes-Benz V-Class MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2020 Mercedes-Benz V-Class MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

Tyres

27% 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

15% 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

9% 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

7% 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

2% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2020 Mercedes-Benz V-Class

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 3.6× as often on the 2020 Mercedes-Benz V-Class as on other cars the same age.)
Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Mercedes-Benz V-Class?

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

Other years

Every year of the Mercedes-Benz V-Class compared

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2026	–	Too new for MOT data
2025	–	Too new for MOT data
2024	–	Too new for MOT data
2023	383	Tyres 19%
2022	621	Tyres 21%
2021	579	Tyres 25%
2019	2,899	Tyres 22%
2018	2,400	Tyres 22%
2017	2,242	Tyres 23%
2016	1,497	Tyres 25%
2015	879	Tyres 24%
2003	–	Too few tests
2002	105	Suspension 46%
2001	–	Too few tests
2000	–	Too few tests
1999	–	Too few tests
1998	–	Too few tests
1997	–	Too few tests

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2025, counting the MOTs of Mercedes-Benz V-Class cars first registered in 2020. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score