1988 Mercedes 230 Te MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for 230 Te models manufactured in 1988, based on 450 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
This page shows all 230 Te cars tested in 1988. Want to see how cars built in 1988 hold up over time?
View 1988 Mercedes 230 Te vintage page → (46.9% current pass rate)1988 Mercedes 230 Te MOT Analysis
The 1988 Mercedes 230 Te has an MOT pass rate of 53.3% based on 450 tests — below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 144,764 miles on the odometer. With a 46.7% failure rate, the 1988 230 Te is rated as "Poor" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1988 Mercedes 230 Te is Brakes, responsible for 0.7% 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 0.4%.
Top failures specific to 1988 models only. The overall 230 Te 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 | 0.7% | 3 |
| 2 | Suspension | 0.4% | 2 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 144,764 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 | 0.05 | 0.7% | 3 |
| Suspension | 0.03 | 0.4% | 2 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1988 Mercedes 230 Te has an MOT pass rate of 53.3% based on 450 tests — below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 144,764 miles on the odometer. With a 46.7% failure rate, the 1988 230 Te is rated as "Poor" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1988 Mercedes 230 Te, be prepared for above-average maintenance costs. 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 144,764 miles, these vehicles are in the higher-mileage bracket where wear-related failures become more common.
Brakes — 0.7% of failures
Brakes issues account for 0.7% of MOT failures on 1988 Mercedes 230 Te 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 — 0.4% of failures
Suspension issues account for 0.4% of MOT failures on 1988 Mercedes 230 Te 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.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.