1990 Mercedes 508 MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for 508 models manufactured in 1990, based on 72 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
1990 Mercedes 508 MOT Analysis
The 1990 Mercedes 508 has an MOT pass rate of 55.6% based on 72 tests — slightly below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 188,081 miles on the odometer. With a 44.4% failure rate, the 1990 508 is rated as "Below Average" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1990 Mercedes 508 is Driver's View of the Road, responsible for 1.4% of failures. Driver's View of the Road 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 range from £100–400. Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions is the second most common issue at 1.4%. Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment follows at 1.4%.
Top failures specific to 1990 models only. The overall 508 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 | Driver's View Of The Road | 1.4% | 1 |
| 2 | Exhaust, Fuel And Emissions | 1.4% | 1 |
| 3 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 1.4% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 188,081 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility | 0.07 | 1.4% | 1 |
| Emissions & Exhaust | 0.07 | 1.4% | 1 |
| Lamps & Electrical | 0.07 | 1.4% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1990 Mercedes 508 has an MOT pass rate of 55.6% based on 72 tests — slightly below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 188,081 miles on the odometer. With a 44.4% failure rate, the 1990 508 is rated as "Below Average" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1990 Mercedes 508, budget for potential repairs before each MOT. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to driver's view of the road: Have this system checked during regular servicing. Look for warning signs like unusual noises, vibrations, or dashboard warning lights. With an average mileage of 188,081 miles, these vehicles are in the higher-mileage bracket where wear-related failures become more common.
Driver's View of the Road — 1.4% of failures
Driver's View of the Road issues account for 1.4% of MOT failures on 1990 Mercedes 508 models. Driver's View of the Road 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.
Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions — 1.4% of failures
Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions issues account for 1.4% of MOT failures on 1990 Mercedes 508 models. Emissions failures occur when exhaust gases exceed legal limits for carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), or particulate matter (diesel). Common causes include faulty oxygen sensors, clogged catalytic converters, or DPF issues on diesel vehicles. Typical repair costs: £100–1,000+. Pre-MOT check: If the engine management light is on, get it diagnosed before the MOT. For diesel cars, ensure the DPF has completed a regeneration cycle. Regular servicing and using premium fuel before the test can help.
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment — 1.4% of failures
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment issues account for 1.4% of MOT failures on 1990 Mercedes 508 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.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.