1985 Mercedes-Benz 207 MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for 207 models manufactured in 1985, based on 74 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
1985 Mercedes-Benz 207 MOT Analysis
The 1985 Mercedes-Benz 207 has an MOT pass rate of 51.4% based on 74 tests — below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 110,697 miles on the odometer. With a 48.6% failure rate, the 1985 207 is rated as "Poor" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1985 Mercedes-Benz 207 is Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment, responsible for 27.0% of failures. Lighting failures cover all external lights: headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and reflectors. A single blown bulb will cause an MOT fail. This is one of the most preventable failure categories. Typical repair costs range from £5–50. Brakes is the second most common issue at 18.9%. Steering follows at 5.4%.
Top failures specific to 1985 models only. The overall 207 page may show different rankings.
What Fails Most
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 27.0% | 20 |
| 2 | Brakes | 18.9% | 14 |
| 3 | Steering | 5.4% | 4 |
| 4 | Body, Chassis, Structure | 4.1% | 3 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.7% | 2 |
| 6 | Noise, Emissions And Leaks | 2.7% | 2 |
| 7 | Speedometer And Speed Limiter | 2.7% | 2 |
| 8 | Suspension | 1.4% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 110,697 miFor every 10,000 miles driven, this shows what percentage of MOT tests fail for each category. This accounts for how far cars are actually driven, not just raw pass/fail counts.
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| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lamps & Electrical | 2.44 | 27.0% | 20 |
| Brakes | 1.71 | 18.9% | 14 |
| Steering | 0.49 | 5.4% | 4 |
| Body & Structure | 0.37 | 4.1% | 3 |
| Visibility | 0.24 | 2.7% | 2 |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.24 | 2.7% | 2 |
| Speedometer and speed limiter | 0.24 | 2.7% | 2 |
| Suspension | 0.12 | 1.4% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1985 Mercedes-Benz 207 has an MOT pass rate of 51.4% based on 74 tests — below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 110,697 miles on the odometer. With a 48.6% failure rate, the 1985 207 is rated as "Poor" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1985 Mercedes-Benz 207, be prepared for above-average maintenance costs. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment: Walk around the car and check every light — headlights (dipped and main beam), side lights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, hazard lights, reverse light, rear fog light, and number plate lights. Replace any blown bulbs before the test. With an average mileage of 110,697 miles, these vehicles are in the higher-mileage bracket where wear-related failures become more common.
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — 27.0% of failures
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment issues account for 27.0% of MOT failures on 1985 Mercedes-Benz 207 models. Lighting failures cover all external lights: headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and reflectors. A single blown bulb will cause an MOT fail. This is one of the most preventable failure categories. Typical repair costs: £5–50. Pre-MOT check: Walk around the car and check every light — headlights (dipped and main beam), side lights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, hazard lights, reverse light, rear fog light, and number plate lights. Replace any blown bulbs before the test.
Brakes — 18.9% of failures
Brakes issues account for 18.9% of MOT failures on 1985 Mercedes-Benz 207 models. Brake-related failures include worn brake pads, corroded brake discs, leaking brake lines, and faulty brake servos. These are safety-critical components — any brake deficiency will result in an MOT fail. Typical repair costs: £150–400. Pre-MOT check: Listen for squealing or grinding noises. Check brake pedal feel — if it feels spongy or goes to the floor, have the system inspected immediately. Look at brake pad thickness through the wheel spokes (minimum 3mm).
Steering — 5.4% of failures
Steering issues account for 5.4% of MOT failures on 1985 Mercedes-Benz 207 models. Steering failures include excessive play in the steering wheel, leaking power steering fluid, worn track rod ends, and damaged steering rack. These affect vehicle control and are closely related to suspension wear. Typical repair costs: £150–600. Pre-MOT check: Check for excessive steering wheel play (more than a few inches of free movement). Listen for whining from the power steering pump. Look for fluid leaks under the car near the front wheels.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.