Mercedes-Benz 609 MOT Pass Rate
Overall pass rate across all manufacture years, based on 221 real MOT test results. Failure rate: 37.1%.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
Mercedes-Benz 609 MOT Reliability Overview
The Mercedes-Benz 609 is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 221 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 1 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 62.9% and a failure rate of 37.1%, which is around the UK average of approximately 37%.
Based on this data, the Mercedes-Benz 609 earns a "Average" reliability rating. The average Mercedes-Benz 609 presents for MOT with approximately 150,349 miles on the clock. The 1994 manufacture year performs best with a 77.4% pass rate.
The most common MOT failure for the Mercedes-Benz 609 is Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment, affecting 65.6% of all tests. Lighting failures cover all external lights: headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and reflectors. A single blown bulb will cause an MOT fail. This is one of the most preventable failure categories. The second most common issue is Brakes at 57.9%. Body, chassis, structure rounds out the top three at 35.3%. Together, these top 3 failure categories account for a significant portion of all MOT failures for this model.
Top failures across all manufacture years combined. Individual year pages may show different top failures.
What Fails Most
Pass Rate by Manufacture Year
* High Fail Rate badge indicates an MOT pass rate below 65% (failure rate above 35%).
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 65.6% | 145 |
| 2 | Brakes | 57.9% | 128 |
| 3 | Body, Chassis, Structure | 35.3% | 78 |
| 4 | Steering | 33.0% | 73 |
| 5 | Suspension | 21.7% | 48 |
| 6 | Visibility | 17.2% | 38 |
| 7 | Tyres | 16.3% | 36 |
| 8 | Noise, Emissions And Leaks | 7.7% | 17 |
| 9 | Identification Of The Vehicle | 6.3% | 14 |
| 10 | Seat Belts And Supplementary Restraint Systems | 5.0% | 11 |
| 11 | Non-component Advisories | 0.5% | 1 |
| 12 | Speedometer And Speed Limiter | 0.5% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 150,349 miFor every 10,000 miles driven, this shows what percentage of MOT tests fail for each category. This accounts for how far cars are actually driven, not just raw pass/fail counts.
View as table
| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lamps & Electrical | 4.36 | 65.6% | 145 |
| Brakes | 3.85 | 57.9% | 128 |
| Body & Structure | 2.35 | 35.3% | 78 |
| Steering | 2.20 | 33.0% | 73 |
| Suspension | 1.44 | 21.7% | 48 |
| Visibility | 1.14 | 17.2% | 38 |
| Tyres | 1.08 | 16.3% | 36 |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.51 | 7.7% | 17 |
| Identification of the vehicle | 0.42 | 6.3% | 14 |
| Seat Belts | 0.33 | 5.0% | 11 |
| Non-component advisories | 0.03 | 0.5% | 1 |
| Speedometer and speed limiter | 0.03 | 0.5% | 1 |
🚗 Similar Cars to Consider
Mileage at MOT
The average Mercedes-Benz 609 has 150,349 miles when tested for MOT.
📊 Mileage-Adjusted Failure Rate
How often this car fails MOT relative to how much it's driven — a fairer comparison than raw pass rate.
The Mercedes-Benz 609 has a mileage-adjusted failure rate of 2.47% per 10,000 miles driven. The average across all makes is 5.38%, so this model is better than average.
About Mercedes-Benz 609 MOT Data
The Mercedes-Benz 609 is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 221 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 1 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 62.9% and a failure rate of 37.1%, which is around the UK average of approximately 37%.
For Mercedes-Benz 609 owners, these results suggest average reliability — some preparation before MOT can improve pass chances. Focus your pre-MOT checks on lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment and brakes for the best chance of a first-time pass. Use our detailed year-by-year breakdown and failure analysis below to understand how your specific 609 is likely to perform.
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — 65.6% of failures
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment issues account for 65.6% of MOT failures on the Mercedes-Benz 609. Lighting failures cover all external lights: headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and reflectors. A single blown bulb will cause an MOT fail. This is one of the most preventable failure categories. Typical repair costs: £5–50. Pre-MOT check: Walk around the car and check every light — headlights (dipped and main beam), side lights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, hazard lights, reverse light, rear fog light, and number plate lights. Replace any blown bulbs before the test.
Brakes — 57.9% of failures
Brakes issues account for 57.9% of MOT failures on the Mercedes-Benz 609. Brake-related failures include worn brake pads, corroded brake discs, leaking brake lines, and faulty brake servos. These are safety-critical components — any brake deficiency will result in an MOT fail. Typical repair costs: £150–400. Pre-MOT check: Listen for squealing or grinding noises. Check brake pedal feel — if it feels spongy or goes to the floor, have the system inspected immediately. Look at brake pad thickness through the wheel spokes (minimum 3mm).
Body, chassis, structure — 35.3% of failures
Body, chassis, structure issues account for 35.3% of MOT failures on the Mercedes-Benz 609. Body and structure failures include excessive corrosion, sharp edges, loose panels, and damage to the vehicle frame. Rust is the primary concern, especially on older vehicles or those exposed to road salt. Typical repair costs: £100–500+. Pre-MOT check: Inspect sills, wheel arches, door bottoms, and the chassis for rust. Surface rust is acceptable but structural corrosion or holes will fail. Check that all doors, bonnet, and boot close securely.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Mercedes-Benz 609?
Based on 221 MOT tests in our database, the Mercedes-Benz 609 has an overall pass rate of 62.9% (37.1% fail rate).
What are the most common MOT failures on a Mercedes-Benz 609?
The top 3 reasons a Mercedes-Benz 609 fails its MOT are: 1. Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment (65.6%), 2. Brakes (57.9%), 3. Body, chassis, structure (35.3%). Check these areas before booking your MOT.
Is the Mercedes-Benz 609 reliable?
With a 37.1% MOT failure rate, the 609 is about average compared to the UK average of ~40%.
What should I check before an MOT on my Mercedes-Benz 609?
Based on failure data, focus on: Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment (65.6%); Brakes (57.9%); Body, chassis, structure (35.3%). These are the areas most likely to cause a fail. Also check all lights, tyres (minimum 1.6mm tread), and windscreen condition — these are quick wins that apply to all cars.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.