1978 Mercedes 280 Ce MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for 280 Ce models manufactured in 1978, based on 70 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
1978 Mercedes 280 Ce MOT Analysis
The 1978 Mercedes 280 Ce has an MOT pass rate of 60.0% based on 70 tests — slightly below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 100,401 miles on the odometer. With a 40.0% failure rate, the 1978 280 Ce is rated as "Below Average" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1978 Mercedes 280 Ce is Driver's View of the Road, responsible for 2.9% of failures. Driver's View of the Road 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 range from £100–400. Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions is the second most common issue at 2.9%. Suspension follows at 1.4%.
Top failures specific to 1978 models only. The overall 280 Ce 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 | Driver's View Of The Road | 2.9% | 2 |
| 2 | Exhaust, Fuel And Emissions | 2.9% | 2 |
| 3 | Suspension | 1.4% | 1 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.4% | 1 |
| 5 | Seat Belts And Supplementary Restraint Systems | 1.4% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 100,401 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility | 0.28 | 2.9% | 2 |
| Emissions & Exhaust | 0.28 | 2.9% | 2 |
| Suspension | 0.14 | 1.4% | 1 |
| Brakes | 0.14 | 1.4% | 1 |
| Seat Belts | 0.14 | 1.4% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1978 Mercedes 280 Ce has an MOT pass rate of 60.0% based on 70 tests — slightly below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 100,401 miles on the odometer. With a 40.0% failure rate, the 1978 280 Ce is rated as "Below Average" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1978 Mercedes 280 Ce, budget for potential repairs before each MOT. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to driver's view of the road: Have this system checked during regular servicing. Look for warning signs like unusual noises, vibrations, or dashboard warning lights. With an average mileage of 100,401 miles, these vehicles are in the higher-mileage bracket where wear-related failures become more common.
Driver's View of the Road — 2.9% of failures
Driver's View of the Road issues account for 2.9% of MOT failures on 1978 Mercedes 280 Ce models. Driver's View of the Road 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.
Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions — 2.9% of failures
Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions issues account for 2.9% of MOT failures on 1978 Mercedes 280 Ce models. Emissions failures occur when exhaust gases exceed legal limits for carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), or particulate matter (diesel). Common causes include faulty oxygen sensors, clogged catalytic converters, or DPF issues on diesel vehicles. Typical repair costs: £100–1,000+. Pre-MOT check: If the engine management light is on, get it diagnosed before the MOT. For diesel cars, ensure the DPF has completed a regeneration cycle. Regular servicing and using premium fuel before the test can help.
Suspension — 1.4% of failures
Suspension issues account for 1.4% of MOT failures on 1978 Mercedes 280 Ce 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.