1980 Mercedes 280 Te MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for 280 Te models manufactured in 1980, based on 49 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
1980 Mercedes 280 Te MOT Analysis
The 1980 Mercedes 280 Te has an MOT pass rate of 57.1% based on 49 tests — slightly below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 156,304 miles on the odometer. With a 42.9% failure rate, the 1980 280 Te is rated as "Below Average" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1980 Mercedes 280 Te is Tyres, responsible for 4.1% 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. Steering is the second most common issue at 2.0%. Body, Structure and General Items follows at 2.0%.
Top failures specific to 1980 models only. The overall 280 Te 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 | 4.1% | 2 |
| 2 | Steering | 2.0% | 1 |
| 3 | Body, Structure And General Items | 2.0% | 1 |
| 4 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 2.0% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 156,304 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 | 0.26 | 4.1% | 2 |
| Steering | 0.13 | 2.0% | 1 |
| Body & Structure | 0.13 | 2.0% | 1 |
| Lamps & Electrical | 0.13 | 2.0% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1980 Mercedes 280 Te has an MOT pass rate of 57.1% based on 49 tests — slightly below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 156,304 miles on the odometer. With a 42.9% failure rate, the 1980 280 Te is rated as "Below Average" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1980 Mercedes 280 Te, budget for potential repairs before each MOT. 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 156,304 miles, these vehicles are in the higher-mileage bracket where wear-related failures become more common.
Tyres — 4.1% of failures
Tyres issues account for 4.1% of MOT failures on 1980 Mercedes 280 Te 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.
Steering — 2.0% of failures
Steering issues account for 2.0% of MOT failures on 1980 Mercedes 280 Te 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 — 2.0% of failures
Body, Structure and General Items issues account for 2.0% of MOT failures on 1980 Mercedes 280 Te 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.