1987 Mercedes 250 MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for 250 models manufactured in 1987, based on 199 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
This page shows all 250 cars tested in 1987. Want to see how cars built in 1987 hold up over time?
View 1987 Mercedes 250 vintage page → (60.5% current pass rate)1987 Mercedes 250 MOT Analysis
The 1987 Mercedes 250 has an MOT pass rate of 62.3% based on 199 tests — around the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 160,695 miles on the odometer. With a 37.7% failure rate, the 1987 250 is rated as "Average" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1987 Mercedes 250 is Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment, responsible for 1.5% 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 1.0%. Speedometer and speed limiter follows at 0.5%.
Top failures specific to 1987 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 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 1.5% | 3 |
| 2 | Suspension | 1.0% | 2 |
| 3 | Speedometer And Speed Limiter | 0.5% | 1 |
| 4 | Body, Chassis, Structure | 0.5% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 160,695 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lamps & Electrical | 0.09 | 1.5% | 3 |
| Suspension | 0.06 | 1.0% | 2 |
| Speedometer and speed limiter | 0.03 | 0.5% | 1 |
| Body & Structure | 0.03 | 0.5% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1987 Mercedes 250 has an MOT pass rate of 62.3% based on 199 tests — around the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 160,695 miles on the odometer. With a 37.7% failure rate, the 1987 250 is rated as "Average" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1987 Mercedes 250, budget for potential repairs before each MOT. 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 160,695 miles, these vehicles are in the higher-mileage bracket where wear-related failures become more common.
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — 1.5% of failures
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment issues account for 1.5% of MOT failures on 1987 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.
Suspension — 1.0% of failures
Suspension issues account for 1.0% of MOT failures on 1987 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.
Speedometer and speed limiter — 0.5% of failures
Speedometer and speed limiter issues account for 0.5% of MOT failures on 1987 Mercedes 250 models. Speedometer and speed limiter issues are a common cause of MOT failure. Regular inspection and maintenance of these components helps ensure your vehicle passes its MOT. Typical repair costs: £100–400. Pre-MOT check: Have this system checked during regular servicing. Look for warning signs like unusual noises, vibrations, or dashboard warning lights.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.