2005 Mercedes 280 MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for 280 models manufactured in 2005, based on 187 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
2005 Mercedes 280 MOT Analysis
The 2005 Mercedes 280 has an MOT pass rate of 69.0% based on 187 tests — slightly above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 61,040 miles on the odometer. With a 31.0% failure rate, the 2005 280 is rated as "Good" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 2005 Mercedes 280 is Suspension, responsible for 2.1% 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. Tyres is the second most common issue at 2.1%. Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems follows at 0.5%.
Top failures specific to 2005 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 | Suspension | 2.1% | 4 |
| 2 | Tyres | 2.1% | 4 |
| 3 | Seat Belts And Supplementary Restraint Systems | 0.5% | 1 |
| 4 | Steering | 0.5% | 1 |
| 5 | Brakes | 0.5% | 1 |
| 6 | Noise, Emissions And Leaks | 0.5% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 61,040 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 0.35 | 2.1% | 4 |
| Tyres | 0.35 | 2.1% | 4 |
| Seat Belts | 0.09 | 0.5% | 1 |
| Steering | 0.09 | 0.5% | 1 |
| Brakes | 0.09 | 0.5% | 1 |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.09 | 0.5% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 2005 Mercedes 280 has an MOT pass rate of 69.0% based on 187 tests — slightly above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 61,040 miles on the odometer. With a 31.0% failure rate, the 2005 280 is rated as "Good" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 2005 Mercedes 280, you can expect reliable MOT performance overall. 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. At 61,040 average miles, these vehicles are in the mid-range where component wear starts to become a factor.
Suspension — 2.1% of failures
Suspension issues account for 2.1% of MOT failures on 2005 Mercedes 280 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.
Tyres — 2.1% of failures
Tyres issues account for 2.1% of MOT failures on 2005 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.
Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems — 0.5% of failures
Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems issues account for 0.5% of MOT failures on 2005 Mercedes 280 models. Seat belt failures include frayed or cut webbing, faulty retractors, buckles that don't latch properly, and missing or damaged anchorages. All fitted seat belts must be functional. Typical repair costs: £50–200 per belt. Pre-MOT check: Pull each seat belt fully out and check for fraying, cuts, or fading. Ensure each belt retracts smoothly and the buckle clicks securely. Check the pre-tensioner warning light on the dashboard.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.