1983 Mercedes 500 Sel MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for 500 Sel models manufactured in 1983, based on 143 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
1983 Mercedes 500 Sel MOT Analysis
The 1983 Mercedes 500 Sel has an MOT pass rate of 67.1% based on 143 tests — slightly above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 87,268 miles on the odometer. With a 32.9% failure rate, the 1983 500 Sel is rated as "Good" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1983 Mercedes 500 Sel is Brakes, responsible for 2.8% of failures. 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 range from £150–400. Non-component advisories is the second most common issue at 0.7%.
Top failures specific to 1983 models only. The overall 500 Sel 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 | Brakes | 2.8% | 4 |
| 2 | Non-component Advisories | 0.7% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 87,268 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 0.32 | 2.8% | 4 |
| Non-component advisories | 0.08 | 0.7% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1983 Mercedes 500 Sel has an MOT pass rate of 67.1% based on 143 tests — slightly above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 87,268 miles on the odometer. With a 32.9% failure rate, the 1983 500 Sel is rated as "Good" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1983 Mercedes 500 Sel, you can expect reliable MOT performance overall. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to brakes: 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). With an average mileage of 87,268 miles, these vehicles are in the higher-mileage bracket where wear-related failures become more common.
Brakes — 2.8% of failures
Brakes issues account for 2.8% of MOT failures on 1983 Mercedes 500 Sel 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).
Non-component advisories — 0.7% of failures
Non-component advisories issues account for 0.7% of MOT failures on 1983 Mercedes 500 Sel models. Non-component advisories issues are a common cause of MOT failure. Regular inspection and maintenance of these components helps ensure your vehicle passes its MOT. Typical repair costs: £100–400. Pre-MOT check: Have this system checked during regular servicing. Look for warning signs like unusual noises, vibrations, or dashboard warning lights.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.