1979 Mercedes 280 E MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for 280 E models manufactured in 1979, based on 50 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
1979 Mercedes 280 E MOT Analysis
The 1979 Mercedes 280 E has an MOT pass rate of 70.0% based on 50 tests — slightly above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 93,418 miles on the odometer. With a 30.0% failure rate, the 1979 280 E is rated as "Good" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1979 Mercedes 280 E is Tyres, responsible for 2.0% of failures. Tyre failures include tread depth below the legal minimum of 1.6mm, cuts, bulges, exposed cords, and incorrect tyre pressure. Tyres are one of the most common and easiest-to-prevent MOT failures. Typical repair costs range from £50–200 per tyre. Noise, emissions and leaks is the second most common issue at 2.0%.
Top failures specific to 1979 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 | Tyres | 2.0% | 1 |
| 2 | Noise, Emissions And Leaks | 2.0% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 93,418 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 0.21 | 2.0% | 1 |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.21 | 2.0% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1979 Mercedes 280 E has an MOT pass rate of 70.0% based on 50 tests — slightly above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 93,418 miles on the odometer. With a 30.0% failure rate, the 1979 280 E is rated as "Good" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1979 Mercedes 280 E, you can expect reliable MOT performance overall. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to tyres: Check tread depth with a 20p coin — if the outer band is visible, the tyre is too worn. Look for bulges, cuts, or embedded objects. Ensure all tyres match the recommended size and load rating. With an average mileage of 93,418 miles, these vehicles are in the higher-mileage bracket where wear-related failures become more common.
Tyres — 2.0% of failures
Tyres issues account for 2.0% of MOT failures on 1979 Mercedes 280 E models. Tyre failures include tread depth below the legal minimum of 1.6mm, cuts, bulges, exposed cords, and incorrect tyre pressure. Tyres are one of the most common and easiest-to-prevent MOT failures. Typical repair costs: £50–200 per tyre. Pre-MOT check: Check tread depth with a 20p coin — if the outer band is visible, the tyre is too worn. Look for bulges, cuts, or embedded objects. Ensure all tyres match the recommended size and load rating.
Noise, emissions and leaks — 2.0% of failures
Noise, emissions and leaks issues account for 2.0% of MOT failures on 1979 Mercedes 280 E 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.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.