Does the Mercedes-Benz 420 fail the MOT on visibility more than it should?
The Mercedes-Benz 420 records 8.77 visibility failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 10.63 expected for a car of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−1.86, 95% interval −2.97 to −0.76). It ranks 521 of 746 models on visibility (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on visibility · check a Mercedes-Benz 420 by registration
What exactly fails on visibility?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Mercedes-Benz 420 is “Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen”, recorded 84 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 84 | 2.53 |
| Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen | 70 | 2.11 |
| Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view | 61 | 1.84 |
| Wiper blade defective | 51 | 1.54 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 3,320 (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 420 by postcode area · Mercedes-Benz 420 body, chassis and structure failures · Mercedes-Benz 420 brakes failures · Mercedes-Benz 420 lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · Mercedes-Benz 420 noise, emissions and leaks failures · Mercedes-Benz 420 steering failures · Mercedes-Benz 420 suspension failures · Mercedes-Benz 420 tyres failures