1998 Mercedes-Benz 308 MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for 308 models manufactured in 1998, based on 721 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
This page shows all 308 cars tested in 1998. Want to see how cars built in 1998 hold up over time?
View 1998 Mercedes-Benz 308 vintage page → (56.1% current pass rate)1998 Mercedes-Benz 308 MOT Analysis
The 1998 Mercedes-Benz 308 has an MOT pass rate of 53.0% based on 721 tests — below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 165,063 miles on the odometer. With a 47.0% failure rate, the 1998 308 is rated as "Poor" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1998 Mercedes-Benz 308 is Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment, responsible for 20.2% 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. Body, chassis, structure is the second most common issue at 13.2%. Brakes follows at 12.8%.
Top failures specific to 1998 models only. The overall 308 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 | 20.2% | 146 |
| 2 | Body, Chassis, Structure | 13.2% | 95 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.8% | 92 |
| 4 | Suspension | 10.5% | 76 |
| 5 | Tyres | 6.2% | 45 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.2% | 23 |
| 7 | Noise, Emissions And Leaks | 2.4% | 17 |
| 8 | Steering | 1.9% | 14 |
| 9 | Identification Of The Vehicle | 1.7% | 12 |
| 10 | Seat Belts And Supplementary Restraint Systems | 1.2% | 9 |
| 11 | Non-component Advisories | 0.4% | 3 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 165,063 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lamps & Electrical | 1.23 | 20.2% | 146 |
| Body & Structure | 0.80 | 13.2% | 95 |
| Brakes | 0.77 | 12.8% | 92 |
| Suspension | 0.64 | 10.5% | 76 |
| Tyres | 0.38 | 6.2% | 45 |
| Visibility | 0.19 | 3.2% | 23 |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.14 | 2.4% | 17 |
| Steering | 0.12 | 1.9% | 14 |
| Identification of the vehicle | 0.10 | 1.7% | 12 |
| Seat Belts | 0.08 | 1.2% | 9 |
| Non-component advisories | 0.03 | 0.4% | 3 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1998 Mercedes-Benz 308 has an MOT pass rate of 53.0% based on 721 tests — below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 165,063 miles on the odometer. With a 47.0% failure rate, the 1998 308 is rated as "Poor" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1998 Mercedes-Benz 308, 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 165,063 miles, these vehicles are in the higher-mileage bracket where wear-related failures become more common.
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — 20.2% of failures
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment issues account for 20.2% of MOT failures on 1998 Mercedes-Benz 308 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.
Body, chassis, structure — 13.2% of failures
Body, chassis, structure issues account for 13.2% of MOT failures on 1998 Mercedes-Benz 308 models. Body and structure failures include excessive corrosion, sharp edges, loose panels, and damage to the vehicle frame. Rust is the primary concern, especially on older vehicles or those exposed to road salt. Typical repair costs: £100–500+. Pre-MOT check: Inspect sills, wheel arches, door bottoms, and the chassis for rust. Surface rust is acceptable but structural corrosion or holes will fail. Check that all doors, bonnet, and boot close securely.
Brakes — 12.8% of failures
Brakes issues account for 12.8% of MOT failures on 1998 Mercedes-Benz 308 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).
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.