Does the Mercedes-Benz M-Class fail the MOT on lamps, reflectors and electrics more than it should?
The Mercedes-Benz M-Class records 22.97 lamps, reflectors and electrics failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 24.31 expected for a car of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−1.34, 95% interval −1.55 to −1.13). It ranks 360 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 M-Class by registration
What exactly fails on lamps, reflectors and electrics?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Mercedes-Benz M-Class is “A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources”, recorded 5,366 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources | 5,366 | 2.54 |
| The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 5,176 | 2.45 |
| A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 4,837 | 2.29 |
| Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 4,271 | 2.02 |
| Headlamp reflector or lens slightly defective | 4,175 | 1.98 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 211,108 (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 M-Class gets a lamps, reflectors and electrics advisory, how often does it fail next time?
33.7% of Mercedes-Benz M-Class MOTs with a lamps, reflectors and electrics advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12.1 months and 4,416 miles later (4,840 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 4,840 (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 M-Class 1999 · Mercedes-Benz M-Class 2000 · Mercedes-Benz M-Class 2001 · Mercedes-Benz M-Class 2002 · Mercedes-Benz M-Class 2003 · Mercedes-Benz M-Class 2004 · Mercedes-Benz M-Class 2005 · Mercedes-Benz M-Class 2006 · Mercedes-Benz M-Class 2007 · Mercedes-Benz M-Class 2008 · Mercedes-Benz M-Class 2009 · Mercedes-Benz M-Class 2010 · Mercedes-Benz M-Class 2011 · Mercedes-Benz M-Class 2012 · Mercedes-Benz M-Class 2013 · Mercedes-Benz M-Class 2014 · Mercedes-Benz M-Class 2015 · Mercedes-Benz M-Class in Norway · Mercedes-Benz M-Class in Finland · Mercedes-Benz M-Class in the Netherlands · Mercedes-Benz M-Class by postcode area · Mercedes-Benz M-Class body, chassis and structure failures · Mercedes-Benz M-Class brakes failures · Mercedes-Benz M-Class vehicle identification failures · Mercedes-Benz M-Class noise, emissions and leaks failures · Mercedes-Benz M-Class road wheels failures · Mercedes-Benz M-Class seat belts and airbags failures · Mercedes-Benz M-Class steering failures · Mercedes-Benz M-Class suspension failures · Mercedes-Benz M-Class tyres failures · Mercedes-Benz M-Class visibility failures