1983 Mercedes 250 MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for 250 models manufactured in 1983, based on 87 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
1983 Mercedes 250 MOT Analysis
The 1983 Mercedes 250 has an MOT pass rate of 71.3% based on 87 tests — above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 95,291 miles on the odometer. With a 28.7% failure rate, the 1983 250 is rated as "Very Good" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1983 Mercedes 250 is Visibility, responsible for 3.4% 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. Suspension is the second most common issue at 2.3%. Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment follows at 1.1%.
Top failures specific to 1983 models only. The overall 250 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 | 3.4% | 3 |
| 2 | Suspension | 2.3% | 2 |
| 3 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 1.1% | 1 |
| 4 | Seat Belts And Supplementary Restraint Systems | 1.1% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 95,291 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility | 0.36 | 3.4% | 3 |
| Suspension | 0.24 | 2.3% | 2 |
| Lamps & Electrical | 0.12 | 1.1% | 1 |
| Seat Belts | 0.12 | 1.1% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1983 Mercedes 250 has an MOT pass rate of 71.3% based on 87 tests — above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 95,291 miles on the odometer. With a 28.7% failure rate, the 1983 250 is rated as "Very Good" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1983 Mercedes 250, you can expect reliable MOT performance overall. 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 95,291 miles, these vehicles are in the higher-mileage bracket where wear-related failures become more common.
Visibility — 3.4% of failures
Visibility issues account for 3.4% of MOT failures on 1983 Mercedes 250 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.
Suspension — 2.3% of failures
Suspension issues account for 2.3% of MOT failures on 1983 Mercedes 250 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.
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — 1.1% of failures
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment issues account for 1.1% of MOT failures on 1983 Mercedes 250 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.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.