1984 Mercedes 280 Te MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for 280 Te models manufactured in 1984, based on 140 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
1984 Mercedes 280 Te MOT Analysis
The 1984 Mercedes 280 Te has an MOT pass rate of 48.6% based on 140 tests — significantly below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 141,971 miles on the odometer. With a 51.4% failure rate, the 1984 280 Te is rated as "Very Poor" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1984 Mercedes 280 Te is Suspension, responsible for 3.6% of failures. 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 range from £200–500. Steering is the second most common issue at 1.4%. Body, chassis, structure follows at 0.7%.
Top failures specific to 1984 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 | Suspension | 3.6% | 5 |
| 2 | Steering | 1.4% | 2 |
| 3 | Body, Chassis, Structure | 0.7% | 1 |
| 4 | Brakes | 0.7% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 141,971 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 0.25 | 3.6% | 5 |
| Steering | 0.10 | 1.4% | 2 |
| Body & Structure | 0.05 | 0.7% | 1 |
| Brakes | 0.05 | 0.7% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1984 Mercedes 280 Te has an MOT pass rate of 48.6% based on 140 tests — significantly below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 141,971 miles on the odometer. With a 51.4% failure rate, the 1984 280 Te is rated as "Very Poor" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1984 Mercedes 280 Te, be prepared for above-average maintenance costs. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to suspension: 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. With an average mileage of 141,971 miles, these vehicles are in the higher-mileage bracket where wear-related failures become more common.
Suspension — 3.6% of failures
Suspension issues account for 3.6% of MOT failures on 1984 Mercedes 280 Te 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.
Steering — 1.4% of failures
Steering issues account for 1.4% of MOT failures on 1984 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, chassis, structure — 0.7% of failures
Body, chassis, structure issues account for 0.7% of MOT failures on 1984 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.