1990 Mercedes 408 MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for 408 models manufactured in 1990, based on 134 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
1990 Mercedes 408 MOT Analysis
The 1990 Mercedes 408 has an MOT pass rate of 46.3% based on 134 tests — significantly below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 176,870 miles on the odometer. With a 53.7% failure rate, the 1990 408 is rated as "Very Poor" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1990 Mercedes 408 is Steering, responsible for 3.0% 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. Tyres is the second most common issue at 0.7%. Body, chassis, structure follows at 0.7%.
Top failures specific to 1990 models only. The overall 408 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 | 3.0% | 4 |
| 2 | Tyres | 0.7% | 1 |
| 3 | Body, Chassis, Structure | 0.7% | 1 |
| 4 | Brakes | 0.7% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 176,870 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.
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| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 0.17 | 3.0% | 4 |
| Tyres | 0.04 | 0.7% | 1 |
| Body & Structure | 0.04 | 0.7% | 1 |
| Brakes | 0.04 | 0.7% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1990 Mercedes 408 has an MOT pass rate of 46.3% based on 134 tests — significantly below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 176,870 miles on the odometer. With a 53.7% failure rate, the 1990 408 is rated as "Very Poor" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1990 Mercedes 408, 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. With an average mileage of 176,870 miles, these vehicles are in the higher-mileage bracket where wear-related failures become more common.
Steering — 3.0% of failures
Steering issues account for 3.0% of MOT failures on 1990 Mercedes 408 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.
Tyres — 0.7% of failures
Tyres issues account for 0.7% of MOT failures on 1990 Mercedes 408 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, chassis, structure — 0.7% of failures
Body, chassis, structure issues account for 0.7% of MOT failures on 1990 Mercedes 408 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.