1971 Mercedes 280 E MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for 280 E models manufactured in 1971, based on 106 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
1971 Mercedes 280 E MOT Analysis
The 1971 Mercedes 280 E has an MOT pass rate of 73.6% based on 106 tests — above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 40,599 miles on the odometer. With a 26.4% failure rate, the 1971 280 E is rated as "Very Good" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1971 Mercedes 280 E is Body, Structure and General Items, responsible for 2.8% of failures. 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 range from £100–500+. Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment is the second most common issue at 1.9%. Driver's View of the Road follows at 0.9%.
Top failures specific to 1971 models only. The overall 280 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 | Body, Structure And General Items | 2.8% | 3 |
| 2 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 1.9% | 2 |
| 3 | Driver's View Of The Road | 0.9% | 1 |
| 4 | Exhaust, Fuel And Emissions | 0.9% | 1 |
| 5 | Tyres | 0.9% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 40,599 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body & Structure | 0.70 | 2.8% | 3 |
| Lamps & Electrical | 0.46 | 1.9% | 2 |
| Visibility | 0.23 | 0.9% | 1 |
| Emissions & Exhaust | 0.23 | 0.9% | 1 |
| Tyres | 0.23 | 0.9% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1971 Mercedes 280 E has an MOT pass rate of 73.6% based on 106 tests — above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 40,599 miles on the odometer. With a 26.4% failure rate, the 1971 280 E is rated as "Very Good" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1971 Mercedes 280 E, you can expect reliable MOT performance overall. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to body, structure and general items: 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. With relatively low average mileage of 40,599 miles, many of these vehicles are still in good mechanical condition.
Body, Structure and General Items — 2.8% of failures
Body, Structure and General Items issues account for 2.8% of MOT failures on 1971 Mercedes 280 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.
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment — 1.9% of failures
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment issues account for 1.9% of MOT failures on 1971 Mercedes 280 E 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.
Driver's View of the Road — 0.9% of failures
Driver's View of the Road issues account for 0.9% of MOT failures on 1971 Mercedes 280 E 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.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.