1986 Mercedes-Benz 250 MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for 250 models manufactured in 1986, based on 40 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
1986 Mercedes-Benz 250 MOT Analysis
The 1986 Mercedes-Benz 250 has an MOT pass rate of 55.0% based on 40 tests — below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 178,030 miles on the odometer. With a 45.0% failure rate, the 1986 250 is rated as "Poor" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1986 Mercedes-Benz 250 is Suspension, responsible for 45.0% of failures. Suspension failures typically involve worn bushes, leaking shock absorbers, broken coil springs, and damaged suspension arms. These affect ride quality, tyre wear, and road holding. Typical repair costs range from £200–500. Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment is the second most common issue at 25.0%. Noise, emissions and leaks follows at 20.0%.
Top failures specific to 1986 models only. The overall 250 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 | Suspension | 45.0% | 18 |
| 2 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 25.0% | 10 |
| 3 | Noise, Emissions And Leaks | 20.0% | 8 |
| 4 | Brakes | 20.0% | 8 |
| 5 | Tyres | 10.0% | 4 |
| 6 | Body, Chassis, Structure | 10.0% | 4 |
| 7 | Visibility | 5.0% | 2 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 178,030 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 2.53 | 45.0% | 18 |
| Lamps & Electrical | 1.40 | 25.0% | 10 |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 1.12 | 20.0% | 8 |
| Brakes | 1.12 | 20.0% | 8 |
| Tyres | 0.56 | 10.0% | 4 |
| Body & Structure | 0.56 | 10.0% | 4 |
| Visibility | 0.28 | 5.0% | 2 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1986 Mercedes-Benz 250 has an MOT pass rate of 55.0% based on 40 tests — below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 178,030 miles on the odometer. With a 45.0% failure rate, the 1986 250 is rated as "Poor" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1986 Mercedes-Benz 250, be prepared for above-average maintenance costs. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to suspension: Look for uneven tyre wear, listen for clunking over bumps, and check if the car pulls to one side. A bouncy ride suggests worn shock absorbers. Visually inspect coil springs for cracks. With an average mileage of 178,030 miles, these vehicles are in the higher-mileage bracket where wear-related failures become more common.
Suspension — 45.0% of failures
Suspension issues account for 45.0% of MOT failures on 1986 Mercedes-Benz 250 models. Suspension failures typically involve worn bushes, leaking shock absorbers, broken coil springs, and damaged suspension arms. These affect ride quality, tyre wear, and road holding. Typical repair costs: £200–500. Pre-MOT check: Look for uneven tyre wear, listen for clunking over bumps, and check if the car pulls to one side. A bouncy ride suggests worn shock absorbers. Visually inspect coil springs for cracks.
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — 25.0% of failures
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment issues account for 25.0% of MOT failures on 1986 Mercedes-Benz 250 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.
Noise, emissions and leaks — 20.0% of failures
Noise, emissions and leaks issues account for 20.0% of MOT failures on 1986 Mercedes-Benz 250 models. Emissions failures occur when exhaust gases exceed legal limits for carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), or particulate matter (diesel). Common causes include faulty oxygen sensors, clogged catalytic converters, or DPF issues on diesel vehicles. Typical repair costs: £100–1,000+. Pre-MOT check: If the engine management light is on, get it diagnosed before the MOT. For diesel cars, ensure the DPF has completed a regeneration cycle. Regular servicing and using premium fuel before the test can help.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.