1990 Mercedes 230 E MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for 230 E models manufactured in 1990, based on 1,898 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
This page shows all 230 E cars tested in 1990. Want to see how cars built in 1990 hold up over time?
View 1990 Mercedes 230 E vintage page → (63.0% current pass rate)1990 Mercedes 230 E MOT Analysis
The 1990 Mercedes 230 E has an MOT pass rate of 63.1% based on 1,898 tests — around the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 113,335 miles on the odometer. With a 36.9% failure rate, the 1990 230 E is rated as "Average" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1990 Mercedes 230 E is Brakes, responsible for 1.0% of failures. 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 range from £150–400. Suspension is the second most common issue at 0.7%. Noise, emissions and leaks follows at 0.3%.
Top failures specific to 1990 models only. The overall 230 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 | Brakes | 1.0% | 19 |
| 2 | Suspension | 0.7% | 13 |
| 3 | Noise, Emissions And Leaks | 0.3% | 6 |
| 4 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 0.3% | 5 |
| 5 | Tyres | 0.3% | 5 |
| 6 | Body, Chassis, Structure | 0.3% | 5 |
| 7 | Non-component Advisories | 0.1% | 2 |
| 8 | Visibility | 0.1% | 2 |
| 9 | Steering | 0.1% | 2 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 113,335 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 0.09 | 1.0% | 19 |
| Suspension | 0.06 | 0.7% | 13 |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.03 | 0.3% | 6 |
| Lamps & Electrical | 0.02 | 0.3% | 5 |
| Tyres | 0.02 | 0.3% | 5 |
| Body & Structure | 0.02 | 0.3% | 5 |
| Non-component advisories | 0.01 | 0.1% | 2 |
| Visibility | 0.01 | 0.1% | 2 |
| Steering | 0.01 | 0.1% | 2 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1990 Mercedes 230 E has an MOT pass rate of 63.1% based on 1,898 tests — around the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 113,335 miles on the odometer. With a 36.9% failure rate, the 1990 230 E is rated as "Average" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1990 Mercedes 230 E, budget for potential repairs before each MOT. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to brakes: 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). With an average mileage of 113,335 miles, these vehicles are in the higher-mileage bracket where wear-related failures become more common.
Brakes — 1.0% of failures
Brakes issues account for 1.0% of MOT failures on 1990 Mercedes 230 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).
Suspension — 0.7% of failures
Suspension issues account for 0.7% of MOT failures on 1990 Mercedes 230 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.
Noise, emissions and leaks — 0.3% of failures
Noise, emissions and leaks issues account for 0.3% of MOT failures on 1990 Mercedes 230 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.