MOT Risk Index.co.uk

Does the Mercedes-Benz B-Class fail the MOT on suspension more than it should?

The Mercedes-Benz B-Class records 12.36 suspension failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 13.97 expected for a car of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−1.61, 95% interval −1.73 to −1.49). It ranks 373 of 701 models on suspension (1 = most failures above expected).

Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on suspension · check a Mercedes-Benz B-Class by registration

What exactly fails on suspension?

The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Mercedes-Benz B-Class is “A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened”, recorded 13,954 times in 2019–2024.

Mercedes-Benz B-Class: most frequent suspension defect wordings, 2019–2024 (30+ items each)
DVSA defect wordingItemsPer 100 tests
A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened13,9543.57
A suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated11,5042.94
A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc9,3802.40
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn8,9772.29
A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage2,8000.72

Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 391,293 (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

If a Mercedes-Benz B-Class gets a suspension advisory, how often does it fail next time?

22.2% of Mercedes-Benz B-Class MOTs with a suspension advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12 months and 5,465 miles later (17,755 advisories followed).

Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 17,755 (advisories followed) · Method: the same vehicles followed to their next ordinary MOT · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV

Other pages for this model

Mercedes-Benz B-Class 2005 · Mercedes-Benz B-Class 2006 · Mercedes-Benz B-Class 2007 · Mercedes-Benz B-Class 2008 · Mercedes-Benz B-Class 2009 · Mercedes-Benz B-Class 2010 · Mercedes-Benz B-Class 2011 · Mercedes-Benz B-Class 2012 · Mercedes-Benz B-Class 2013 · Mercedes-Benz B-Class 2014 · Mercedes-Benz B-Class 2015 · Mercedes-Benz B-Class 2016 · Mercedes-Benz B-Class 2017 · Mercedes-Benz B-Class 2018 · Mercedes-Benz B-Class 2019 · Mercedes-Benz B-Class 2020 · Mercedes-Benz B-Class in Norway · Mercedes-Benz B-Class in Finland · Mercedes-Benz B-Class in the Netherlands · Mercedes-Benz B-Class by postcode area · Mercedes-Benz B-Class body, chassis and structure failures · Mercedes-Benz B-Class brakes failures · Mercedes-Benz B-Class vehicle identification failures · Mercedes-Benz B-Class lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · Mercedes-Benz B-Class noise, emissions and leaks failures · Mercedes-Benz B-Class road wheels failures · Mercedes-Benz B-Class seat belts and airbags failures · Mercedes-Benz B-Class steering failures · Mercedes-Benz B-Class tyres failures · Mercedes-Benz B-Class visibility failures