1998 Mercedes 280 MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for 280 models manufactured in 1998, based on 115 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
1998 Mercedes 280 MOT Analysis
The 1998 Mercedes 280 has an MOT pass rate of 87.8% based on 115 tests — well above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 77,892 miles on the odometer. With a 12.2% failure rate, the 1998 280 is rated as "Excellent" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1998 Mercedes 280 is Tyres, responsible for 1.7% 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. Body, Structure and General Items is the second most common issue at 0.9%.
Top failures specific to 1998 models only. The overall 280 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 | 1.7% | 2 |
| 2 | Body, Structure And General Items | 0.9% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 77,892 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 | 0.22 | 1.7% | 2 |
| Body & Structure | 0.11 | 0.9% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1998 Mercedes 280 has an MOT pass rate of 87.8% based on 115 tests — well above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 77,892 miles on the odometer. With a 12.2% failure rate, the 1998 280 is rated as "Excellent" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1998 Mercedes 280, 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. At 77,892 average miles, these vehicles are in the mid-range where component wear starts to become a factor.
Tyres — 1.7% of failures
Tyres issues account for 1.7% of MOT failures on 1998 Mercedes 280 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.
Body, Structure and General Items — 0.9% of failures
Body, Structure and General Items issues account for 0.9% of MOT failures on 1998 Mercedes 280 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.