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Common problems by part

Mercedes-Benz X-Class lights and electrics problems

DVSA MOT tests 2022–2025 · 3,845 MOT tests · Updated

At 5 years, 4.2 in 100 MOT tests of the Mercedes-Benz X-Class failed on lights and electrics, against 3.7 for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 3,845 MOT tests) [1].

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  • Against all class 4 vehicles the same age: about average for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years), 162 MOT tests with a fail
  • By age: seen at 5 ages from 3 to 7 years, 14,314 MOT tests
  • Most common fail: Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps, 0.9 per 100 MOT tests

Figures are for the model as a whole, not for one car.

What the MOT tests show

What we know

4.2 fails per 100 MOT tests at 5 years, against 3.7 for all class 4 vehicles tested at 5 (all test years). That is about average.

Why it matters

A lights and electrics fail stops the car passing until it is fixed; the most common one is rated major by DVSA.

What to check

Walk round with the lights, indicators, brake lights and hazards on (ask someone to press the pedal) and check every dashboard warning light goes out after starting.

The Mercedes-Benz X-Class is a commercial or van-based vehicle: it is compared with all class 4 vehicles, cars and vans together, so part of any difference can come from how vans are used.

Mercedes-Benz X-Class lights and electrics fails by age

Mercedes-Benz X-Class lights and electrics fails per 100 MOT tests by ageSolid line: the Mercedes-Benz X-Class. Dashed line: all cars the same age. The table below lists every value.02463 years: 3.5 per 100 (all cars 2.9), 2,352 MOT tests34 years: 3.6 per 100 (all cars 3.1), 3,573 MOT tests45 years: 4.2 per 100 (all cars 3.7), 3,845 MOT tests56 years: 5.5 per 100 (all cars 4.7), 3,131 MOT tests67 years: 5.3 per 100 (all cars 5.8), 1,413 MOT tests7
Fails per 100 MOT tests by age, all first-use years pooled. Mercedes-Benz X-Class All class 4 vehicles the same age
AgeMOT testsFails per 100All class 4 vehicles the same age
32,3523.52.9
43,5733.63.1
53,8454.23.7
63,1315.54.7
71,4135.35.8

All first-use years of the Mercedes-Benz X-Class pooled at each age, against all class 4 vehicles at that age over all 2022–2025 test years.

What fails in the lights and electrics at 5 years

Fails

  • Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps: 0.9 fails per 100 MOT tests, all class 4 vehicles 0.3. Replace exterior lamp bulb (position, stop, indicator, fog, reverse, number plate): estimated £11–£47 (0.1–0.5 h at £78/h (ONS local-garage repair quotes, 1,058 quotes from 65 garages, Sep 2025 to Aug 2026) + parts £3–£8) Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps MOT fail
  • Headlamp aim: too low: 0.7 fails per 100 MOT tests, all class 4 vehicles 0.7. Adjust headlamp aim: estimated £16–£39 (0.2–0.5 h at £78/h (ONS local-garage repair quotes, 1,058 quotes from 65 garages, Sep 2025 to Aug 2026) + parts) Headlamp aim too low MOT fail
  • Headlight aimed too high: 0.6 fails per 100 MOT tests, all class 4 vehicles 0.6. Adjust headlamp aim: estimated £16–£39 (0.2–0.5 h at £78/h (ONS local-garage repair quotes, 1,058 quotes from 65 garages, Sep 2025 to Aug 2026) + parts) Headlamp aim too high MOT fail

Advisories (not fails)

Replace exterior lamp bulb (position, stop, indicator, fog, reverse, number plate) cost

Repair figures are estimates, not quotes: how we estimate repair costs.

Buying a Mercedes-Benz X-Class? Check that exact car before the viewing.

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  • Model risks for this year and fuel
  • What similar cars did at their next MOT
  • Repairs ahead
  • Viewing checklist

See a sample report

How to check on a test drive

Walk round with the lights, indicators, brake lights and hazards on (ask someone to press the pedal) and check every dashboard warning light goes out after starting.

The most common advisory here in MOT records: Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources.

Check one Mercedes-Benz X-Class, not the average

The figures here describe Mercedes-Benz X-Class cars as a group. These free tools answer for one car. Each line says what the tool reads.

Other Mercedes-Benz X-Class problems

Lights and electrics on rival models

Questions people ask

Does the Mercedes-Benz X-Class have more lights and electrics problems than other cars?

4.2 in 100 MOT tests at 5 years, against 3.7 for all class 4 vehicles the same age: about average by our test (all test years; 3,845 MOT tests).

How common are Mercedes-Benz X-Class lights and electrics problems?

4.2 in 100 MOT tests at 5 years failed on lights and electrics, against 3.7 for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 3,845 MOT tests).

What is the most common Mercedes-Benz X-Class lights and electrics fail?

0.9 in 100 MOT tests at 5 years: Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps (36 MOT tests with it).

Sources

  1. Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2022 to 2025. DVSA MOT data, Open Government Licence v3.0, 14,314 MOT tests. Accessed 7 Oct 2026.
  2. Office for National Statistics, Consumer price inflation, local price quotes (car repair items). ONS price quotes, series 610236. Accessed 7 Oct 2026.

Parts: against all class 4 vehicles at the same age, all 2022–2025 test years pooled, not adjusted for mileage. Breakdowns and non-MOT faults are not in this data. How we compare