1996 Mercedes 208 MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for 208 models manufactured in 1996, based on 4,246 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
This page shows all 208 cars tested in 1996. Want to see how cars built in 1996 hold up over time?
View 1996 Mercedes 208 vintage page → (45.4% current pass rate)1996 Mercedes 208 MOT Analysis
The 1996 Mercedes 208 has an MOT pass rate of 40.8% based on 4,246 tests — significantly below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 158,173 miles on the odometer. With a 59.2% failure rate, the 1996 208 is rated as "Very Poor" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1996 Mercedes 208 is Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment, responsible for 0.2% 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. Suspension is the second most common issue at 0.1%. Visibility follows at 0.1%.
Top failures specific to 1996 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 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 0.2% | 7 |
| 2 | Suspension | 0.1% | 5 |
| 3 | Visibility | 0.1% | 3 |
| 4 | Brakes | 0.1% | 3 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 158,173 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lamps & Electrical | 0.01 | 0.2% | 7 |
| Suspension | 0.01 | 0.1% | 5 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1996 Mercedes 208 has an MOT pass rate of 40.8% based on 4,246 tests — significantly below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 158,173 miles on the odometer. With a 59.2% failure rate, the 1996 208 is rated as "Very Poor" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1996 Mercedes 208, 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 158,173 miles, these vehicles are in the higher-mileage bracket where wear-related failures become more common.
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — 0.2% of failures
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment issues account for 0.2% of MOT failures on 1996 Mercedes 208 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.
Suspension — 0.1% of failures
Suspension issues account for 0.1% of MOT failures on 1996 Mercedes 208 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.
Visibility — 0.1% of failures
Visibility issues account for 0.1% of MOT failures on 1996 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.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.