Car statistics
How many Mercedes-Benz V-Classes are still on the road in Great Britain, how many are declared off the road, how new registrations have changed and which fuels they use. Built from DVLA licensing records and 12,964 DVSA MOT tests.
There were 14,267 Mercedes-Benz V-Classes licensed in Great Britain at the end of March 2026, and a further 1,237 declared off the road (SORN). That is the most on the road at any year end since 1996.
Numbers are still rising: the latest count is the highest in this series.
| Year | Licensed |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 3 |
| 1997 | 854 |
| 1998 | 1,834 |
| 1999 | 2,637 |
| 2000 | 3,174 |
| 2001 | 3,594 |
| 2002 | 4,089 |
| 2003 | 4,313 |
| 2004 | 4,258 |
| 2005 | 4,183 |
| 2006 | 3,975 |
| 2007 | 3,829 |
| 2008 | 3,525 |
| 2009 | 3,250 |
| 2010 | 2,953 |
| 2011 | 2,655 |
| 2012 | 2,388 |
| 2013 | 2,051 |
| 2014 | 1,832 |
| 2015 | 2,701 |
| 2016 | 3,982 |
| 2017 | 5,613 |
| 2018 | 7,287 |
| 2019 | 8,944 |
| 2020 | 9,271 |
| 2021 | 10,053 |
| 2022 | 10,502 |
| 2023 | 11,568 |
| 2024 | 12,910 |
| 2025 | 14,015 |
| 2026 | 14,267 |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated
Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated
In 2025, 81.1% of Mercedes-Benz V-Class MOT tests were passed first time, against 72.8% for all cars. Cars of the same ages as the Mercedes-Benz V-Classes tested pass 80.1% of the time, so the Mercedes-Benz V-Class does better than average for its age, by 1.0 points. In 2024 its pass rate was 80.4%.
Comparing like with like: each bar pair covers cars of the same age, so an older average age does not count against a model.
| Vehicle age | Mercedes-Benz V-Class | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 years | 85.0% | 89.5% |
| 4–5 years | 83.0% | 87.6% |
| 6–7 years | 83.4% | 83.0% |
| 8–10 years | 79.4% | 75.7% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Suspension is the most common reason a Mercedes-Benz V-Class fails its MOT, appearing on 37.2% of failed tests. A failed test can have defects in more than one category, so shares add up to more than 100%. 7.3% of Mercedes-Benz V-Class tests found at least one dangerous defect, against 7.3% for all cars.
| Defect category | Share of failed tests |
|---|---|
| Suspension | 37.2% |
| Tyres | 34.7% |
| Brakes | 21.3% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 12.3% |
| Visibility | 12.3% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 9.1% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 5.8% |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 3.9% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
The single most common reason a Mercedes-Benz V-Class failed its MOT in 2025 was “Coil spring: fractured or broken”, on 17.3% of 2,451 failed tests. 34.9% of tests ended with at least one advisory, a problem to watch that did not fail the test; the most common was “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit or worn on edge”. The same fault on any wheel or side counts once.
Share of failed tests with each defect. A test can fail for more than one.
| Defect | Share of failed tests |
|---|---|
| Coil spring: fractured or broken Suspension | 17.3% |
| Tyres: ply or cords exposed Tyres | 11.3% |
| Suspension arms: ball joint excessively worn Suspension | 11.1% |
| Tyres: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm Tyres | 10.4% |
| Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction Noise, emissions and leaks | 7.5% |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively Visibility | 7.1% |
| Tyres: cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords Tyres | 6.9% |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick Brakes | 6.1% |
| Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value Brakes | 4.4% |
| Tyres: bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure Tyres | 4.0% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Share of all tests with each advisory: worth checking on a car you are buying.
| Advisory | Share of tests |
|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit or worn on edge Tyres | 17.1% |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened Brakes | 5.3% |
| Brake pads: wearing thin Brakes | 5.2% |
| Brake discs: worn, but not excessively Brakes | 4.2% |
| Shock absorbers: light misting of oil Suspension | 3.8% |
| Suspension arms: ball joint has slight play Suspension | 2.1% |
| Tyres: slightly damaged or cracking or perishing Tyres | 1.6% |
| Engine oil leak, but not excessive Noise, emissions and leaks | 1.5% |
| Tyres: cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords Tyres | 1.3% |
| Play in steering rack inner joint(s) Non-component advisories | 1.1% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
8 years of the Mercedes-Benz V-Class, by year of first registration, have their own page with MOT results, common faults, mileage and how many are left. Against all cars of the same age, the 2015 cars did best at their 2025 MOT (80.3% passed first time) and the 2022 cars worst (84.4%).
| Year | Registered | Left | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 1,100 | 922 | 80.3% |
| 2016 | 1,530 | 1,352 | 79.4% |
| 2017 | 1,959 | 1,919 | 78.5% |
| 2018 | 2,055 | 1,985 | 82.6% |
| 2019 | 2,149 | 2,182 | 84.5% |
| 2020 | 827 | 798 | 82.6% |
| 2021 | 499 | 465 | 83.5% |
| 2022 | 579 | 557 | 84.4% |
Registered: cars on the DVLA record at the end of the year they were first registered. Left: licensed or declared SORN at the end of 2025. Both cover the United Kingdom. Pass rate: first-time passes at normal MOT tests in Great Britain in 2025; all cars: every car first registered the same year.
The average Mercedes-Benz V-Class covers 12,428 miles a year, worked out from odometer readings at consecutive MOT tests.
| Vehicle age | Miles a year |
|---|---|
| 4–5 years | 13,099 |
| 6–7 years | 12,669 |
| 8–10 years | 12,965 |
| 20+ years | 4,107 |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Registrations of Mercedes-Benz V-Classes for the first time in Great Britain peaked at 2,301 in 2019. In 2025, 1,615 were registered.
| Year | First registrations |
|---|---|
| ’01 | 535 |
| ’02 | 526 |
| ’03 | 310 |
| ’04 | 8 |
| ’05 | 5 |
| ’06 | 5 |
| ’07 | 2 |
| ’08 | 4 |
| ’09 | 2 |
| ’10 | 4 |
| ’11 | 0 |
| ’12 | 0 |
| ’13 | 0 |
| ’14 | 8 |
| ’15 | 1,151 |
| ’16 | 1,572 |
| ’17 | 2,099 |
| ’18 | 2,172 |
| ’19 | 2,301 |
| ’20 | 889 |
| ’21 | 524 |
| ’22 | 605 |
| ’23 | 1,404 |
| ’24 | 1,588 |
| ’25 | 1,615 |
Source:DfT / DVLA 2001 to 2025 Updated
Of the 14,350 Mercedes-Benz V-Classes licensed in the UK at the end of 2025, 52.9% have an engine of 2,101cc to 2,200cc, and 46.6% have an engine of 1,901cc to 2,000cc. The share with an engine of 1,901cc to 2,000cc has grown from 0.2% in 2014 to 46.6%. Diesels made up 65.0% of those licensed in 2014 and 99.6% in 2025.
DVLA records engine size in 100cc bands.
| Engine size | Share of those licensed |
|---|---|
| 2,101cc to 2,200cc 7,596 licensed | 52.9% |
| 1,901cc to 2,000cc 6,692 licensed | 46.6% |
| 2,201cc to 2,300cc 40 licensed | 0.3% |
| 2,701cc to 2,800cc 22 licensed | 0.2% |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated
| Engine size | Fuel | Licensed | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2,101–2,200cc | Diesel | 7,595 | 52.9% |
| 1,901–2,000cc | Diesel | 6,692 | 46.6% |
Share of those licensed at the end of each year, for the most common sizes.
| Year | 2,101–2,200cc | 1,901–2,000cc | 2,201–2,300cc | 2,701–2,800cc |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 63.8% | 0.2% | 27.1% | 8.6% |
| 2015 | 80.3% | 0.1% | 14.9% | 4.6% |
| 2016 | 88.6% | 0.0% | 8.3% | 3.0% |
| 2017 | 93.6% | 0.0% | 4.8% | 1.5% |
| 2018 | 95.9% | 0.0% | 3.0% | 1.1% |
| 2019 | 88.8% | 8.5% | 2.0% | 0.7% |
| 2020 | 82.6% | 15.5% | 1.4% | 0.5% |
| 2021 | 78.6% | 20.0% | 1.0% | 0.4% |
| 2022 | 74.5% | 24.3% | 0.8% | 0.4% |
| 2023 | 66.3% | 32.8% | 0.6% | 0.3% |
| 2024 | 58.4% | 41.1% | 0.3% | 0.2% |
| 2025 | 52.9% | 46.6% | 0.3% | 0.2% |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated
Share of those licensed at the end of each year.
| Year | Diesel | Petrol | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 65.0% | 33.0% | 1.9% |
| 2015 | 81.0% | 18.0% | 1.1% |
| 2016 | 89.1% | 10.3% | 0.6% |
| 2017 | 93.8% | 5.9% | 0.3% |
| 2018 | 96.1% | 3.7% | 0.3% |
| 2019 | 97.4% | 2.4% | 0.2% |
| 2020 | 98.1% | 1.7% | 0.1% |
| 2021 | 98.6% | 1.3% | 0.1% |
| 2022 | 98.8% | 1.1% | 0.1% |
| 2023 | 99.2% | 0.8% | 0.0% |
| 2024 | 99.4% | 0.6% | 0.0% |
| 2025 | 99.6% | 0.4% | 0.0% |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated
United Kingdom figures from DfT table VEH0220 (licensed cars at the end of each year, SORN excluded), so they differ slightly from the Great Britain counts elsewhere on this page. How we use engine sizes.
The Vehicle Certification Agency’s new car data lists the Mercedes-Benz V-Class from 2000, when the data begins, and still lists it. On the WLTP test (listings 2022 to 2026), official combined fuel economy for its diesel versions ranges from 35.8 to 39.2 mpg, with CO2 of 190 to 207 g/km. On the older NEDC test (listings 2000 to 2017), official combined fuel economy for its petrol and diesel versions ranges from 20.5 to 45.6 mpg, with CO2 of 163 to 330 g/km.
| Engine and fuel | Combined mpg | CO2 g/km | Listed | Euro standard | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 diesel | 35.8–39.2 | 190–207 | 2022–2026 | Euro 6 to Euro 6d | 23 |
| Engine and fuel | Combined mpg | CO2 g/km | Listed | Euro standard | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.3 petrol | 22.4–24.6 | 270–301 | 2000–2006 | Euro 2 to Euro 3 | 14 |
| 2.8 petrol | 20.5 | 330 | 2000–2001 | Euro 2 | 2 |
| 2.1 diesel | 33.2–45.6 | 163–224 | 2002–2017 | Euro 3 to Euro 6 | 42 |
| 2.2 diesel | 35.3–37.7 | 199–213 | 2000–2001 | Euro 2 | 4 |
Source:VCA July 2000 to 15 September 2026 Updated
DVSA lists 38 safety recalls for the Mercedes-Benz V-Class since 1992, the first in 2000. The most recent was launched on 29 November 2024.
All 38 Mercedes-Benz V-Class recalls, with defects, remedies and build dates
A recall applies to cars built on particular dates or with particular VINs, not to every Mercedes-Benz V-Class. The details come from manufacturers through DVSA, which says they may be delayed or incomplete. To check a specific car, use GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check or ask the manufacturer or a dealer. How we match recalls to models.
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis January 1992 to September 2026 Updated
| Model | Licensed | Change on a year | SORN | Rank | Main fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz V-Class | 14,267 | +8.1% | 1,237 | 295 | Diesel |
| Mercedes-Benz A-Class | 378,826 | +0.7% | 13,892 | 16 | Diesel |
| Mercedes-Benz C-Class | 326,200 | −4.5% | 46,533 | 20 | Diesel |
| Mercedes-Benz E-Class | 203,182 | −4.2% | 40,576 | 39 | Diesel |
| Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class | 112,497 | +14.1% | 2,288 | 84 | Petrol |
| Figures | Source | Period | Records | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed and SORN counts | Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport | End of March 2026 | 15,504 V-Class records (licensed and SORN) | 15 September 2026 |
| Registered for the first time | Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport | 2001 to 2025 | – | 15 September 2026 |
| MOT results and mileage | Anonymised MOT tests and results Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency Derived statistics UK Motoring | 2025 | 12,964 MOT tests | 15 September 2026 |
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
