Mercedes-benz B Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Mercedes-benz B car check
Is the Mercedes-benz B reliable? We analysed 32,451 real MOT tests across 8,076 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Mercedes-benz B? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Mercedes-benz B is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Mercedes-benz B.
Mercedes-benz B — specs & performance
Verified from DVLA & DVSA recordsA snapshot of the engine, performance, dimensions, fuel economy and running costs for the Mercedes-benz B — drawn from official DVLA vehicle records and the DVSA fuel-economy database.
Engine & Performance
- Engine size
- 1595cc
- Power
- 122 BHP
- 0–62 mph
- 9 sec
- Fuel type
- Petrol
Body & Dimensions
- Body type
- Car
- Common colour
- White
- Wheel plan
- 2 Axle Rigid Body
Fuel Economy
- Combined
- 41.5 mpg
- Urban
- 31.0 mpg
- Extra-urban
- 52.3 mpg
- Fuel cost / 12k mi
- £2198
Tax & Emissions
- CO2 output
- 155 g/km Band G
- Emission class
- 6c
- Road tax (12 mo.)
- £145
- Road tax (6 mo.)
- £79.75
- Insurance group
- 19 of 50
Mercedes-benz B Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Mercedes-benz B. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Mercedes-benz B MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Mercedes-benz B to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Mercedes-benz B Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Mercedes-benz B models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Mercedes-benz B Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Mercedes-benz B owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Mercedes-benz B MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Mercedes-benz B year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 84 | 92.9% | 11,180 | 16,887 | 24,040 |
| 2022 | 289 | 94.1% | 13,597 | 20,296 | 32,346 |
| 2021 | 3,431 | 92.3% | 15,191 | 23,068 | 32,954 |
| 2020 | 10,444 | 91.4% | 15,231 | 23,455 | 34,202 |
| 2019 | 16,973 | 90.8% | 15,833 | 24,277 | 35,734 |
| 2018 | 318 | 88.4% | 20,868 | 32,817 | 44,977 |
| 2014 | 64 | 78.1% | 42,370 | 57,720 | 78,436 |
| 2012 | 72 | 84.7% | 45,054 | 59,318 | 72,090 |
How Long Does a Mercedes-benz B Last?
Based on 8,076 Mercedes-benz B vehicles on UK roads.
Mercedes-benz B Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Mercedes-benz B MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Mercedes-benz B
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
94.1% MOT pass rate from 289 tests
78.1% MOT pass rate from 64 tests
The best year to buy a used Mercedes-benz B is 2022, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 94.1% across 289 tests. The 2014 model year has the lowest pass rate at 78.1% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Mercedes-benz B Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-benz B THIS CAR | 91.0% | 32,451 | 24,164 mi | — yrs |
| Mercedes-benz C | 77.6% | 8,031,355 | 77,082 mi | 32 yrs |
| Mercedes-benz E | 79.4% | 4,722,746 | 83,960 mi | 33 yrs |
| Mercedes-benz A-class | 77.6% | 4,204,702 | 57,023 mi | 28 yrs |
| Kawasaki ER6 | 85.9% | 28,470 | 13,860 mi | 21 yrs |
Compared to the Mercedes-benz C (77.6% pass rate) and the Mercedes-benz E (79.4% pass rate), the Mercedes-benz B outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Mercedes-benz B you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Mercedes-benz BShould you buy a used Mercedes-benz B?
The Mercedes-benz B has an overall MOT pass rate of 91.0% across 32,451 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Mercedes-benz B with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.
A typical Mercedes-benz B owner drives around 5,423 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.