1992 Mercedes 280 E MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for 280 E models manufactured in 1992, based on 173 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
This page shows all 280 E cars tested in 1992. Want to see how cars built in 1992 hold up over time?
View 1992 Mercedes 280 E vintage page → (53.3% current pass rate)1992 Mercedes 280 E MOT Analysis
The 1992 Mercedes 280 E has an MOT pass rate of 66.5% based on 173 tests — slightly above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 125,852 miles on the odometer. With a 33.5% failure rate, the 1992 280 E is rated as "Good" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1992 Mercedes 280 E is Brakes, responsible for 4.6% of failures. Brake-related failures include worn brake pads, corroded brake discs, leaking brake lines, and faulty brake servos. These are safety-critical components — any brake deficiency will result in an MOT fail. Typical repair costs range from £150–400. Suspension is the second most common issue at 2.9%. Visibility follows at 0.6%.
Top failures specific to 1992 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 | Brakes | 4.6% | 8 |
| 2 | Suspension | 2.9% | 5 |
| 3 | Visibility | 0.6% | 1 |
| 4 | Noise, Emissions And Leaks | 0.6% | 1 |
| 5 | Non-component Advisories | 0.6% | 1 |
| 6 | Tyres | 0.6% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 125,852 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 0.37 | 4.6% | 8 |
| Suspension | 0.23 | 2.9% | 5 |
| Visibility | 0.05 | 0.6% | 1 |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.05 | 0.6% | 1 |
| Non-component advisories | 0.05 | 0.6% | 1 |
| Tyres | 0.05 | 0.6% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1992 Mercedes 280 E has an MOT pass rate of 66.5% based on 173 tests — slightly above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 125,852 miles on the odometer. With a 33.5% failure rate, the 1992 280 E is rated as "Good" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1992 Mercedes 280 E, you can expect reliable MOT performance overall. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to brakes: Listen for squealing or grinding noises. Check brake pedal feel — if it feels spongy or goes to the floor, have the system inspected immediately. Look at brake pad thickness through the wheel spokes (minimum 3mm). With an average mileage of 125,852 miles, these vehicles are in the higher-mileage bracket where wear-related failures become more common.
Brakes — 4.6% of failures
Brakes issues account for 4.6% of MOT failures on 1992 Mercedes 280 E models. Brake-related failures include worn brake pads, corroded brake discs, leaking brake lines, and faulty brake servos. These are safety-critical components — any brake deficiency will result in an MOT fail. Typical repair costs: £150–400. Pre-MOT check: Listen for squealing or grinding noises. Check brake pedal feel — if it feels spongy or goes to the floor, have the system inspected immediately. Look at brake pad thickness through the wheel spokes (minimum 3mm).
Suspension — 2.9% of failures
Suspension issues account for 2.9% of MOT failures on 1992 Mercedes 280 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.
Visibility — 0.6% of failures
Visibility issues account for 0.6% of MOT failures on 1992 Mercedes 280 E models. Visibility failures relate to the windscreen, wipers, washers, mirrors, and view-obstructing damage. Cracks in the windscreen swept area, ineffective wipers, or empty washer bottles are common causes. Typical repair costs: £10–300. Pre-MOT check: Check the windscreen for chips and cracks — damage larger than 10mm in the driver's swept area or 40mm elsewhere will fail. Test washers and wipers. Ensure both door mirrors are intact and adjustable.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.