1990 Mercedes 308 MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for 308 models manufactured in 1990, based on 570 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
This page shows all 308 cars tested in 1990. Want to see how cars built in 1990 hold up over time?
View 1990 Mercedes 308 vintage page → (48.6% current pass rate)1990 Mercedes 308 MOT Analysis
The 1990 Mercedes 308 has an MOT pass rate of 45.8% based on 570 tests — significantly below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 163,893 miles on the odometer. With a 54.2% failure rate, the 1990 308 is rated as "Very Poor" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1990 Mercedes 308 is Body, chassis, structure, responsible for 1.6% of failures. 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 range from £100–500+. Steering is the second most common issue at 0.4%. Brakes follows at 0.2%.
Top failures specific to 1990 models only. The overall 308 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 | Body, Chassis, Structure | 1.6% | 9 |
| 2 | Steering | 0.4% | 2 |
| 3 | Brakes | 0.2% | 1 |
| 4 | Identification Of The Vehicle | 0.2% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 163,893 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body & Structure | 0.10 | 1.6% | 9 |
| Steering | 0.02 | 0.4% | 2 |
| Brakes | 0.01 | 0.2% | 1 |
| Identification of the vehicle | 0.01 | 0.2% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1990 Mercedes 308 has an MOT pass rate of 45.8% based on 570 tests — significantly below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 163,893 miles on the odometer. With a 54.2% failure rate, the 1990 308 is rated as "Very Poor" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1990 Mercedes 308, be prepared for above-average maintenance costs. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to body, chassis, structure: 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. With an average mileage of 163,893 miles, these vehicles are in the higher-mileage bracket where wear-related failures become more common.
Body, chassis, structure — 1.6% of failures
Body, chassis, structure issues account for 1.6% of MOT failures on 1990 Mercedes 308 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.
Steering — 0.4% of failures
Steering issues account for 0.4% of MOT failures on 1990 Mercedes 308 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 — 0.2% of failures
Brakes issues account for 0.2% of MOT failures on 1990 Mercedes 308 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).
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.