1990 Mercedes 500 Sec MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for 500 Sec models manufactured in 1990, based on 593 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
This page shows all 500 Sec cars tested in 1990. Want to see how cars built in 1990 hold up over time?
View 1990 Mercedes 500 Sec vintage page → (75.0% current pass rate)1990 Mercedes 500 Sec MOT Analysis
The 1990 Mercedes 500 Sec has an MOT pass rate of 71.2% based on 593 tests — above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 123,079 miles on the odometer. With a 28.8% failure rate, the 1990 500 Sec is rated as "Very Good" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1990 Mercedes 500 Sec is Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment, responsible for 1.0% of failures. 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 range from £5–50. Brakes is the second most common issue at 0.7%. Body, chassis, structure follows at 0.5%.
Top failures specific to 1990 models only. The overall 500 Sec 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 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 1.0% | 6 |
| 2 | Brakes | 0.7% | 4 |
| 3 | Body, Chassis, Structure | 0.5% | 3 |
| 4 | Noise, Emissions And Leaks | 0.3% | 2 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.3% | 2 |
| 6 | Tyres | 0.3% | 2 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 123,079 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 | 0.08 | 1.0% | 6 |
| Brakes | 0.05 | 0.7% | 4 |
| Body & Structure | 0.04 | 0.5% | 3 |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.03 | 0.3% | 2 |
| Suspension | 0.03 | 0.3% | 2 |
| Tyres | 0.03 | 0.3% | 2 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1990 Mercedes 500 Sec has an MOT pass rate of 71.2% based on 593 tests — above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 123,079 miles on the odometer. With a 28.8% failure rate, the 1990 500 Sec is rated as "Very Good" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1990 Mercedes 500 Sec, you can expect reliable MOT performance overall. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment: 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. With an average mileage of 123,079 miles, these vehicles are in the higher-mileage bracket where wear-related failures become more common.
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — 1.0% of failures
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment issues account for 1.0% of MOT failures on 1990 Mercedes 500 Sec models. 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.
Brakes — 0.7% of failures
Brakes issues account for 0.7% of MOT failures on 1990 Mercedes 500 Sec 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).
Body, chassis, structure — 0.5% of failures
Body, chassis, structure issues account for 0.5% of MOT failures on 1990 Mercedes 500 Sec 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.