1990 · 34 years old at test · Petrol mostly

1990 Mercedes-Benz 300 MOT pass rate and common faults

297 MOT tests in 2024. 74.4% passed first time, compared with 72.0% for all cars the same age.

103Above average
Passed first time74.4%
Failed or needed repairs25.6%
Typical mileage at test122,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 297 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Position lamp: not working2.0%
  2. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid2.0%
  3. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength2.0%
  4. Non catalyst emissions: emissions carbon monoxide content excessive1.7%
  5. Washers: not working1.7%
  6. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements1.7%
  7. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.7%
  8. Track rod end: ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.3%
  9. Coil spring: fractured or broken1.3%
  10. Wheel bearings: has excessive play1.3%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics17.8%
  2. Suspension8.8%
  3. Brakes8.8%
  4. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)7.7%
  5. Body & chassis6.7%
  6. Emissions & leaks4.0%
  7. Steering2.4%
  8. Seat belts & airbags1.7%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine17.8%
  2. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded14.1%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure9.1%
  4. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened6.7%
  5. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases6.4%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: position lamp: not working. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

All 300 years1991 300 →

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1990 Mercedes-Benz 300?

In 2024, 74.4% of 1990 Mercedes-Benz 300 cars passed their MOT first time, across 297 tests. The average for all 34-year-old cars was 72.0%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 1990 Mercedes-Benz 300?

The most common failure reasons were position lamp: not working; washers: provides insufficient washer liquid; component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 1990 Mercedes-Benz 300 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 103, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).