Used car guide

1998 Mercedes-Benz V-Class: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Mercedes-Benz V-Class first registered in 1998: we looked at the 137 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 137 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

137MOTs of 1998 cars, done in 2023–2025
51%pass first time (all 1998 cars: 65%)
4,000typical miles a year
2.3×the usual rate for brake discs

What goes wrong more than usual on a 1998 Mercedes-Benz V-Class?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 1998 Mercedes-Benz V-Class than on all cars registered in 1998.

  • Brake discs2.3× usual
    Mercedes-Benz V-Class
    22.6% All 1998 cars
    9.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 0.6% of all 1998 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look through the wheel at the brake disc: a deep lip at the edge or heavy scoring means they're worn. Feel for judder when braking.

Common 1998 Mercedes-Benz V-Class MOT failures and advisories

The share of 1998 Mercedes-Benz V-Class MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    50% 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
    41% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    39% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Tyres
    37% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    22% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Rust and bodywork
    20% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 1998 Mercedes-Benz V-Class

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

  1. Any recent work on the brake discs? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 1998 Mercedes-Benz V-Class as on other cars the same age.)
  2. 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

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2025–Too new for MOT data
2024–Too new for MOT data
2023682Tyres 16%
2022801Tyres 20%
20211,241Tyres 23%
20202,706Tyres 27%
20198,687Tyres 22%
20187,272Tyres 23%
20176,726Tyres 23%
20164,500Tyres 24%
20152,720Tyres 24%
2003193Brakes 54%
2002343Brakes 43%
2001169Brakes 47%
2000143Brakes 52%
1999182Brakes 51%
1997–Too few tests

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Mercedes-Benz V-Class cars first registered in 1998. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score