1997 Mercedes 814 MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for 814 models manufactured in 1997, based on 67 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
1997 Mercedes 814 MOT Analysis
The 1997 Mercedes 814 has an MOT pass rate of 59.7% based on 67 tests — slightly below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 178,019 miles on the odometer. With a 40.3% failure rate, the 1997 814 is rated as "Below Average" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1997 Mercedes 814 is Steering, responsible for 13.4% 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. Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment is the second most common issue at 9.0%. Identification of the vehicle follows at 4.5%.
Top failures specific to 1997 models only. The overall 814 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 | 13.4% | 9 |
| 2 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 9.0% | 6 |
| 3 | Identification Of The Vehicle | 4.5% | 3 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 178,019 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 0.75 | 13.4% | 9 |
| Lamps & Electrical | 0.50 | 9.0% | 6 |
| Identification of the vehicle | 0.25 | 4.5% | 3 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1997 Mercedes 814 has an MOT pass rate of 59.7% based on 67 tests — slightly below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 178,019 miles on the odometer. With a 40.3% failure rate, the 1997 814 is rated as "Below Average" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1997 Mercedes 814, budget for potential repairs before each MOT. 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 178,019 miles, these vehicles are in the higher-mileage bracket where wear-related failures become more common.
Steering — 13.4% of failures
Steering issues account for 13.4% of MOT failures on 1997 Mercedes 814 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.
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — 9.0% of failures
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment issues account for 9.0% of MOT failures on 1997 Mercedes 814 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.
Identification of the vehicle — 4.5% of failures
Identification of the vehicle issues account for 4.5% of MOT failures on 1997 Mercedes 814 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.