Mercedes 280ce MOT Pass Rate
Overall pass rate across all manufacture years, based on 36 real MOT test results. Failure rate: 27.8%.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
Mercedes 280ce MOT Reliability Overview
The Mercedes 280ce is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 36 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 0 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 72.2% and a failure rate of 27.8%, which is above the UK average of approximately 37%.
Based on this data, the Mercedes 280ce earns a "Very Good" reliability rating. The average Mercedes 280ce presents for MOT with approximately 79,423 miles on the clock.
The most common MOT failure for the Mercedes 280ce is Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment, affecting 30.6% of all tests. Lighting failures cover all external lights: headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and reflectors. A single blown bulb will cause an MOT fail. This is one of the most preventable failure categories. The second most common issue is Suspension at 25.0%. Body, Structure and General Items rounds out the top three at 13.9%. Together, these top 3 failure categories account for a significant portion of all MOT failures for this model.
Top failures across all manufacture years combined. Individual year pages may show different top failures.
What Fails Most
* High Fail Rate badge indicates an MOT pass rate below 65% (failure rate above 35%).
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 44.4% | 16 |
| 2 | Suspension | 27.8% | 10 |
| 3 | Brakes | 25.0% | 9 |
| 4 | Body, Structure And General Items | 25.0% | 9 |
| 5 | Seat Belts And Supplementary Restraint Systems | 13.9% | 5 |
| 6 | Exhaust, Fuel And Emissions | 11.1% | 4 |
| 7 | Tyres | 5.6% | 2 |
| 8 | Driver's View Of The Road | 5.6% | 2 |
| 9 | Visibility | 5.6% | 2 |
| 10 | Body, Chassis, Structure | 2.8% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 79,423 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lamps & Electrical | 5.60 | 44.4% | 16 |
| Suspension | 3.50 | 27.8% | 10 |
| Body & Structure | 3.50 | 27.8% | 10 |
| Brakes | 3.15 | 25.0% | 9 |
| Seat Belts | 1.75 | 13.9% | 5 |
| Emissions & Exhaust | 1.40 | 11.1% | 4 |
| Visibility | 1.40 | 11.2% | 4 |
| Tyres | 0.70 | 5.6% | 2 |
🚗 Similar Cars to Consider
Mileage at MOT
The average Mercedes 280ce has 79,423 miles when tested for MOT.
📊 Mileage-Adjusted Failure Rate
How often this car fails MOT relative to how much it's driven — a fairer comparison than raw pass rate.
The Mercedes 280ce has a mileage-adjusted failure rate of 3.50% per 10,000 miles driven. The average across all makes is 5.38%, so this model is better than average.
About Mercedes 280ce MOT Data
The Mercedes 280ce is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 36 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 0 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 72.2% and a failure rate of 27.8%, which is above the UK average of approximately 37%.
For Mercedes 280ce owners, these results suggest a reliable vehicle that generally passes its MOT without major issues. Focus your pre-MOT checks on lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment and suspension for the best chance of a first-time pass. Use our detailed year-by-year breakdown and failure analysis below to understand how your specific 280ce is likely to perform.
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment — 30.6% of failures
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment issues account for 30.6% of MOT failures on the Mercedes 280ce. Lighting failures cover all external lights: headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and reflectors. A single blown bulb will cause an MOT fail. This is one of the most preventable failure categories. Typical repair costs: £5–50. Pre-MOT check: Walk around the car and check every light — headlights (dipped and main beam), side lights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, hazard lights, reverse light, rear fog light, and number plate lights. Replace any blown bulbs before the test.
Suspension — 25.0% of failures
Suspension issues account for 25.0% of MOT failures on the Mercedes 280ce. 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.
Body, Structure and General Items — 13.9% of failures
Body, Structure and General Items issues account for 13.9% of MOT failures on the Mercedes 280ce. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Mercedes 280ce?
Based on 36 (based on limited data) MOT tests in our database, the Mercedes 280ce has an overall pass rate of 72.2% (27.8% fail rate).
What are the most common MOT failures on a Mercedes 280ce?
The top 3 reasons a Mercedes 280ce fails its MOT are: 1. Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment (30.6%), 2. Suspension (25.0%), 3. Body, Structure and General Items (13.9%). Check these areas before booking your MOT.
Is the Mercedes 280ce reliable?
With a 27.8% MOT failure rate, the 280ce is more reliable than average compared to the UK average of ~40%.
What should I check before an MOT on my Mercedes 280ce?
Based on failure data, focus on: Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment (30.6%); Suspension (25.0%); Body, Structure and General Items (13.9%). These are the areas most likely to cause a fail. Also check all lights, tyres (minimum 1.6mm tread), and windscreen condition — these are quick wins that apply to all cars.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.