1987 Mercedes 260 E MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for 260 E models manufactured in 1987, based on 369 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
This page shows all 260 E cars tested in 1987. Want to see how cars built in 1987 hold up over time?
View 1987 Mercedes 260 E vintage page → (63.9% current pass rate)1987 Mercedes 260 E MOT Analysis
The 1987 Mercedes 260 E has an MOT pass rate of 58.3% based on 369 tests — slightly below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 122,116 miles on the odometer. With a 41.7% failure rate, the 1987 260 E is rated as "Below Average" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1987 Mercedes 260 E is Suspension, responsible for 1.4% 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. Steering is the second most common issue at 0.8%. Body, Structure and General Items follows at 0.5%.
Top failures specific to 1987 models only. The overall 260 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 | Suspension | 1.4% | 5 |
| 2 | Steering | 0.8% | 3 |
| 3 | Body, Structure And General Items | 0.5% | 2 |
| 4 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 0.5% | 2 |
| 5 | Non-component Advisories | 0.5% | 2 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 122,116 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 0.11 | 1.4% | 5 |
| Steering | 0.07 | 0.8% | 3 |
| Body & Structure | 0.04 | 0.5% | 2 |
| Lamps & Electrical | 0.04 | 0.5% | 2 |
| Non-component advisories | 0.04 | 0.5% | 2 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1987 Mercedes 260 E has an MOT pass rate of 58.3% based on 369 tests — slightly below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 122,116 miles on the odometer. With a 41.7% failure rate, the 1987 260 E is rated as "Below Average" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1987 Mercedes 260 E, budget for potential repairs before each MOT. 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 122,116 miles, these vehicles are in the higher-mileage bracket where wear-related failures become more common.
Suspension — 1.4% of failures
Suspension issues account for 1.4% of MOT failures on 1987 Mercedes 260 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.
Steering — 0.8% of failures
Steering issues account for 0.8% of MOT failures on 1987 Mercedes 260 E models. Steering failures include excessive play in the steering wheel, leaking power steering fluid, worn track rod ends, and damaged steering rack. These affect vehicle control and are closely related to suspension wear. Typical repair costs: £150–600. Pre-MOT check: Check for excessive steering wheel play (more than a few inches of free movement). Listen for whining from the power steering pump. Look for fluid leaks under the car near the front wheels.
Body, Structure and General Items — 0.5% of failures
Body, Structure and General Items issues account for 0.5% of MOT failures on 1987 Mercedes 260 E models. Body and structure failures include excessive corrosion, sharp edges, loose panels, and damage to the vehicle frame. Rust is the primary concern, especially on older vehicles or those exposed to road salt. Typical repair costs: £100–500+. Pre-MOT check: Inspect sills, wheel arches, door bottoms, and the chassis for rust. Surface rust is acceptable but structural corrosion or holes will fail. Check that all doors, bonnet, and boot close securely.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.