1989 Mercedes 280 Te MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for 280 Te models manufactured in 1989, based on 57 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
1989 Mercedes 280 Te MOT Analysis
The 1989 Mercedes 280 Te has an MOT pass rate of 49.1% based on 57 tests — significantly below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 62,578 miles on the odometer. With a 50.9% failure rate, the 1989 280 Te is rated as "Very Poor" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1989 Mercedes 280 Te is Steering, responsible for 5.3% of failures. 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 range from £150–600. Brakes is the second most common issue at 3.5%. Visibility follows at 1.8%.
Top failures specific to 1989 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 | Steering | 5.3% | 3 |
| 2 | Brakes | 3.5% | 2 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.8% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 62,578 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 0.84 | 5.3% | 3 |
| Brakes | 0.56 | 3.5% | 2 |
| Visibility | 0.28 | 1.8% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1989 Mercedes 280 Te has an MOT pass rate of 49.1% based on 57 tests — significantly below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 62,578 miles on the odometer. With a 50.9% failure rate, the 1989 280 Te is rated as "Very Poor" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1989 Mercedes 280 Te, be prepared for above-average maintenance costs. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to steering: 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. At 62,578 average miles, these vehicles are in the mid-range where component wear starts to become a factor.
Steering — 5.3% of failures
Steering issues account for 5.3% of MOT failures on 1989 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.
Brakes — 3.5% of failures
Brakes issues account for 3.5% of MOT failures on 1989 Mercedes 280 Te 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).
Visibility — 1.8% of failures
Visibility issues account for 1.8% of MOT failures on 1989 Mercedes 280 Te 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.