Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2006 Mercedes Benz B Class?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2006 Mercedes Benz B Class?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2006 Mercedes Benz B Class?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 2006 Mercedes Benz B Class vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

40% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2006 Mercedes Benz B Class reliable?

Based on MOT data from 5,559 vehicles, the 2006 Mercedes Benz B Class has a first-time MOT pass rate of 76.5%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2006 Mercedes Benz B Class?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2006 Mercedes Benz B Class are: Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components (65.4% of vehicles), Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (62% of vehicles), Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (58.5% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2006 Mercedes Benz B Class?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Mercedes Benz B Class (2006)

5,559 real MOT outcomes analysed • 76.5% first-time pass rate

2006 Mercedes Benz B Class

CarHunch analysed 5,559 real MOT records for the 2006 Mercedes Benz B Class. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2006 Mercedes-Benz B-Class passes its MOT first time in 76.5% of cases, which is 3.5 percentage points below the UK average and a genuine concern for a car of this age. More worryingly, 40.2% of these vehicles have recorded at least one dangerous defect during their MOT history—well above acceptable thresholds and a serious red flag for any prospective buyer.

At a median mileage of 62,778 miles, these cars are typically lower-mileage examples for their age, which partly explains why they're not performing worse overall. However, the average vehicle racks up 4.23 failures and 20.9 advisories per MOT, indicating persistent wear and electrical gremlins that are characteristic of ageing German engineering. Before purchase, have a full pre-MOT inspection by an independent specialist with Mercedes experience and budget for electrical diagnostics—this model's repair costs can be punishing if you inherit hidden problems.

The 2006 Mercedes Benz B Class has a decent first-time pass rate (76.5%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

76.5%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

40.2%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

4.23

Over 16.8 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

63k

Middle half: 48k–78k

For context

🔧 Average reliability. Passes at roughly the UK rate — not a standout, not a problem vehicle. Individual history makes all the difference.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 20.9 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 5,559 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

What tends to go wrong

Across 5,559 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Other issues 65.4%

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components · Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt · Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Tyre wear 62%

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Brake wear 47.4%

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material · Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2006.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 5,559 Mercedes Benz B Class cars.

Before you buy a 2006 Mercedes Benz B Class

Based on MOT data from 5,559 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 40.2% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (51%)	2,828	77.1%	4.17
Diesel (49%)	2,731	75.8%	4.29

Colour Breakdown

Based on 77,010 Mercedes Benz B Class vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Black 24.5%

18,872

Silver 22.4%

17,281

Grey 19.2%

14,820

Blue 17%

13,065

White 9.9%

7,612

Red 4.9%

3,768

Gold 0.6%

441

Purple 0.5%

393

Brown 0.4%

285

Bronze 0.2%

182

Green 0.2%

149

Beige 0.2%

142

Mileage Distribution

Most 2006 Mercedes Benz B Class vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

62,778

typical

48,174

low mileage

77,701

high mileage

Half of all 2006 Mercedes Benz B Class vehicles fall between 48,174 and 77,701 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 48,174 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 48,174–77,701 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2006 Mercedes Benz B Classs sit.

⚠ Over 104,896 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2006 Mercedes Benz B Class — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 31% of 2006 Mercedes Benz B Classs are still active.

Numbers are declining — 1,536 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (31% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

16.8

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

4.23

Avg failures per vehicle

20.9

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Mercedes Benz B Class: All B Class years → Which year to buy? →

2005 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Or browse all models: Mercedes Benz →

Compare with another model

See how the 2006 Mercedes Benz B Class stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing