1981 Mercedes 240 MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for 240 models manufactured in 1981, based on 102 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
1981 Mercedes 240 MOT Analysis
The 1981 Mercedes 240 has an MOT pass rate of 68.6% based on 102 tests — slightly above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 129,447 miles on the odometer. With a 31.4% failure rate, the 1981 240 is rated as "Good" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1981 Mercedes 240 is Suspension, responsible for 10.8% 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. Tyres is the second most common issue at 1.0%.
Top failures specific to 1981 models only. The overall 240 page may show different rankings.
What Fails Most
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
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| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 10.8% | 11 |
| 2 | Tyres | 1.0% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 129,447 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 0.83 | 10.8% | 11 |
| Tyres | 0.08 | 1.0% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1981 Mercedes 240 has an MOT pass rate of 68.6% based on 102 tests — slightly above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 129,447 miles on the odometer. With a 31.4% failure rate, the 1981 240 is rated as "Good" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1981 Mercedes 240, you can expect reliable MOT performance overall. 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 129,447 miles, these vehicles are in the higher-mileage bracket where wear-related failures become more common.
Suspension — 10.8% of failures
Suspension issues account for 10.8% of MOT failures on 1981 Mercedes 240 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.
Tyres — 1.0% of failures
Tyres issues account for 1.0% of MOT failures on 1981 Mercedes 240 models. Tyre failures include tread depth below the legal minimum of 1.6mm, cuts, bulges, exposed cords, and incorrect tyre pressure. Tyres are one of the most common and easiest-to-prevent MOT failures. Typical repair costs: £50–200 per tyre. Pre-MOT check: Check tread depth with a 20p coin — if the outer band is visible, the tyre is too worn. Look for bulges, cuts, or embedded objects. Ensure all tyres match the recommended size and load rating.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.