Does the Mercedes-Benz 220 fail the MOT on lamps, reflectors and electrics more than it should?
The Mercedes-Benz 220 records 16.85 lamps, reflectors and electrics failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 21.98 expected for a car of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−5.13, 95% interval −6.49 to −3.77). It ranks 527 of 729 models on lamps, reflectors and electrics (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on lamps, reflectors and electrics · check a Mercedes-Benz 220 by registration
What exactly fails on lamps, reflectors and electrics?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Mercedes-Benz 220 is “The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements”, recorded 128 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 128 | 2.79 |
| A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources | 85 | 1.86 |
| A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 76 | 1.66 |
| Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements | 53 | 1.16 |
| A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED | 52 | 1.14 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 4,581 (initial tests) · Method: failure items (major and minor) grouped by DVSA's defect tree; wordings with 30+ items · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
Other pages for this model
Mercedes-Benz 220 by postcode area · Mercedes-Benz 220 body, chassis and structure failures · Mercedes-Benz 220 brakes failures · Mercedes-Benz 220 vehicle identification failures · Mercedes-Benz 220 noise, emissions and leaks failures · Mercedes-Benz 220 road wheels failures · Mercedes-Benz 220 seat belts and airbags failures · Mercedes-Benz 220 steering failures · Mercedes-Benz 220 suspension failures · Mercedes-Benz 220 tyres failures · Mercedes-Benz 220 visibility failures