1990 Mercedes 208 MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for 208 models manufactured in 1990, based on 839 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
This page shows all 208 cars tested in 1990. Want to see how cars built in 1990 hold up over time?
View 1990 Mercedes 208 vintage page → (74.3% current pass rate)1990 Mercedes 208 MOT Analysis
The 1990 Mercedes 208 has an MOT pass rate of 57.6% based on 839 tests — slightly below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 103,961 miles on the odometer. With a 42.4% failure rate, the 1990 208 is rated as "Below Average" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1990 Mercedes 208 is Visibility, responsible for 0.2% of failures. Visibility failures relate to the windscreen, wipers, washers, mirrors, and view-obstructing damage. Cracks in the windscreen swept area, ineffective wipers, or empty washer bottles are common causes. Typical repair costs range from £10–300. Brakes is the second most common issue at 0.1%.
Top failures specific to 1990 models only. The overall 208 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 | Visibility | 0.2% | 2 |
| 2 | Brakes | 0.1% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 103,961 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility | 0.02 | 0.2% | 2 |
| Brakes | 0.01 | 0.1% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1990 Mercedes 208 has an MOT pass rate of 57.6% based on 839 tests — slightly below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 103,961 miles on the odometer. With a 42.4% failure rate, the 1990 208 is rated as "Below Average" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1990 Mercedes 208, budget for potential repairs before each MOT. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to visibility: Check the windscreen for chips and cracks — damage larger than 10mm in the driver's swept area or 40mm elsewhere will fail. Test washers and wipers. Ensure both door mirrors are intact and adjustable. With an average mileage of 103,961 miles, these vehicles are in the higher-mileage bracket where wear-related failures become more common.
Visibility — 0.2% of failures
Visibility issues account for 0.2% of MOT failures on 1990 Mercedes 208 models. Visibility failures relate to the windscreen, wipers, washers, mirrors, and view-obstructing damage. Cracks in the windscreen swept area, ineffective wipers, or empty washer bottles are common causes. Typical repair costs: £10–300. Pre-MOT check: Check the windscreen for chips and cracks — damage larger than 10mm in the driver's swept area or 40mm elsewhere will fail. Test washers and wipers. Ensure both door mirrors are intact and adjustable.
Brakes — 0.1% of failures
Brakes issues account for 0.1% of MOT failures on 1990 Mercedes 208 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.