1993 · 31 years old at test · Petrol mostly

1993 Mercedes-Benz 300 MOT pass rate and common faults

198 MOT tests in 2024. 74.2% passed first time, compared with 67.5% for all cars the same age.

110Well above average
Passed first time74.2%
Failed or needed repairs25.8%
Typical mileage at test126,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 198 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play4.0%
  2. Position lamp: not working3.0%
  3. Service brake performance: excessively binding2.5%
  4. Rear fog lamp: not working2.0%
  5. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.5%
    8 marked dangerous
  6. Wheel bearings: has excessive play1.5%
  7. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements1.5%
  8. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.0%
  9. Other leaks: leak harmful to the environment or a risk to other road users1.0%
  10. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.0%
    4 marked dangerous

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics14.1%
  2. Suspension11.6%
  3. Brakes10.6%
  4. Body & chassis6.6%
  5. Steering6.1%
  6. Emissions & leaks6.1%
  7. Tyres4.0%
  8. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)1.5%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded14.1%
  2. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine11.1%
  3. Wheel bearings: has excessive play7.6%
  4. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened7.1%
  5. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm6.6%

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: track rod end: ball joint has excessive play. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1993 Mercedes-Benz 300?

In 2024, 74.2% of 1993 Mercedes-Benz 300 cars passed their MOT first time, across 198 tests. The average for all 31-year-old cars was 67.5%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 1993 Mercedes-Benz 300?

The most common failure reasons were track rod end: ball joint has excessive play; position lamp: not working; service brake performance: excessively binding. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 1993 Mercedes-Benz 300 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 110, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).