1987 Mercedes 190 E MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for 190 E models manufactured in 1987, based on 1,855 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
This page shows all 190 E cars tested in 1987. Want to see how cars built in 1987 hold up over time?
View 1987 Mercedes 190 E vintage page → (57.9% current pass rate)1987 Mercedes 190 E MOT Analysis
The 1987 Mercedes 190 E has an MOT pass rate of 60.8% based on 1,855 tests — around the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 114,207 miles on the odometer. With a 39.2% failure rate, the 1987 190 E is rated as "Average" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1987 Mercedes 190 E is Suspension, responsible for 1.5% 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. Brakes is the second most common issue at 0.9%. Noise, emissions and leaks follows at 0.6%.
Top failures specific to 1987 models only. The overall 190 E 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 | 1.5% | 27 |
| 2 | Brakes | 0.9% | 17 |
| 3 | Noise, Emissions And Leaks | 0.6% | 11 |
| 4 | Tyres | 0.4% | 8 |
| 5 | Body, Chassis, Structure | 0.4% | 8 |
| 6 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 0.3% | 5 |
| 7 | Visibility | 0.2% | 4 |
| 8 | Non-component Advisories | 0.2% | 3 |
| 9 | Steering | 0.2% | 3 |
| 10 | Seat Belts And Supplementary Restraint Systems | 0.1% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 114,207 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 0.13 | 1.5% | 27 |
| Brakes | 0.08 | 0.9% | 17 |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.05 | 0.6% | 11 |
| Tyres | 0.04 | 0.4% | 8 |
| Body & Structure | 0.04 | 0.4% | 8 |
| Lamps & Electrical | 0.02 | 0.3% | 5 |
| Visibility | 0.02 | 0.2% | 4 |
| Non-component advisories | 0.01 | 0.2% | 3 |
| Steering | 0.01 | 0.2% | 3 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1987 Mercedes 190 E has an MOT pass rate of 60.8% based on 1,855 tests — around the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 114,207 miles on the odometer. With a 39.2% failure rate, the 1987 190 E is rated as "Average" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1987 Mercedes 190 E, budget for potential repairs before each MOT. 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 114,207 miles, these vehicles are in the higher-mileage bracket where wear-related failures become more common.
Suspension — 1.5% of failures
Suspension issues account for 1.5% of MOT failures on 1987 Mercedes 190 E 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.
Brakes — 0.9% of failures
Brakes issues account for 0.9% of MOT failures on 1987 Mercedes 190 E 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).
Noise, emissions and leaks — 0.6% of failures
Noise, emissions and leaks issues account for 0.6% of MOT failures on 1987 Mercedes 190 E 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.