1996 Mercedes 412 MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for 412 models manufactured in 1996, based on 39 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
1996 Mercedes 412 MOT Analysis
The 1996 Mercedes 412 has an MOT pass rate of 64.1% based on 39 tests — around the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 275,600 miles on the odometer. With a 35.9% failure rate, the 1996 412 is rated as "Average" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1996 Mercedes 412 is Suspension, responsible for 25.6% 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. Brakes is the second most common issue at 10.3%. Identification of the vehicle follows at 5.1%.
Top failures specific to 1996 models only. The overall 412 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 | 25.6% | 10 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.3% | 4 |
| 3 | Identification Of The Vehicle | 5.1% | 2 |
| 4 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 5.1% | 2 |
| 5 | Body, Chassis, Structure | 2.6% | 1 |
| 6 | Steering | 2.6% | 1 |
| 7 | Visibility | 2.6% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 275,600 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 0.93 | 25.6% | 10 |
| Brakes | 0.37 | 10.3% | 4 |
| Identification of the vehicle | 0.19 | 5.1% | 2 |
| Lamps & Electrical | 0.19 | 5.1% | 2 |
| Body & Structure | 0.09 | 2.6% | 1 |
| Steering | 0.09 | 2.6% | 1 |
| Visibility | 0.09 | 2.6% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1996 Mercedes 412 has an MOT pass rate of 64.1% based on 39 tests — around the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 275,600 miles on the odometer. With a 35.9% failure rate, the 1996 412 is rated as "Average" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1996 Mercedes 412, budget for potential repairs before each MOT. 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. With an average mileage of 275,600 miles, these vehicles are in the higher-mileage bracket where wear-related failures become more common.
Suspension — 25.6% of failures
Suspension issues account for 25.6% of MOT failures on 1996 Mercedes 412 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.
Brakes — 10.3% of failures
Brakes issues account for 10.3% of MOT failures on 1996 Mercedes 412 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).
Identification of the vehicle — 5.1% of failures
Identification of the vehicle issues account for 5.1% of MOT failures on 1996 Mercedes 412 models. Identification failures relate to the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and registration plate. The VIN must be permanently displayed and legible, and the registration plate must meet British Standard formatting. Typical repair costs: £10–50. Pre-MOT check: Ensure the VIN plate is visible and legible (usually in the windscreen or under the bonnet). Check that number plates are clean, undamaged, and use the correct font and spacing.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.