1974 Mercedes-Benz 280 MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for 280 models manufactured in 1974, based on 34 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
1974 Mercedes-Benz 280 MOT Analysis
The 1974 Mercedes-Benz 280 has an MOT pass rate of 79.4% based on 34 tests — well above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 44,086 miles on the odometer. With a 20.6% failure rate, the 1974 280 is rated as "Excellent" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1974 Mercedes-Benz 280 is Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems, responsible for 2.9% of failures. Seat belt failures include frayed or cut webbing, faulty retractors, buckles that don't latch properly, and missing or damaged anchorages. All fitted seat belts must be functional. Typical repair costs range from £50–200 per belt. Suspension is the second most common issue at 2.9%.
Top failures specific to 1974 models only. The overall 280 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 | Seat Belts And Supplementary Restraint Systems | 2.9% | 1 |
| 2 | Suspension | 2.9% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 44,086 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.
View as table
| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seat Belts | 0.67 | 2.9% | 1 |
| Suspension | 0.67 | 2.9% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1974 Mercedes-Benz 280 has an MOT pass rate of 79.4% based on 34 tests — well above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 44,086 miles on the odometer. With a 20.6% failure rate, the 1974 280 is rated as "Excellent" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1974 Mercedes-Benz 280, you can expect reliable MOT performance overall. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to seat belts and supplementary restraint systems: Pull each seat belt fully out and check for fraying, cuts, or fading. Ensure each belt retracts smoothly and the buckle clicks securely. Check the pre-tensioner warning light on the dashboard. With relatively low average mileage of 44,086 miles, many of these vehicles are still in good mechanical condition.
Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems — 2.9% of failures
Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems issues account for 2.9% of MOT failures on 1974 Mercedes-Benz 280 models. Seat belt failures include frayed or cut webbing, faulty retractors, buckles that don't latch properly, and missing or damaged anchorages. All fitted seat belts must be functional. Typical repair costs: £50–200 per belt. Pre-MOT check: Pull each seat belt fully out and check for fraying, cuts, or fading. Ensure each belt retracts smoothly and the buckle clicks securely. Check the pre-tensioner warning light on the dashboard.
Suspension — 2.9% of failures
Suspension issues account for 2.9% of MOT failures on 1974 Mercedes-Benz 280 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.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.