Mercedes R280 MOT Pass Rate
Overall pass rate across all manufacture years, based on 47 real MOT test results. Failure rate: 23.4%.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
Mercedes R280 MOT Reliability Overview
The Mercedes R280 is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 47 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 1 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 76.6% and a failure rate of 23.4%, which is well above the UK average of approximately 37%.
Based on this data, the Mercedes R280 earns a "Excellent" reliability rating. The average Mercedes R280 presents for MOT with approximately 84,240 miles on the clock. The 2008 manufacture year performs best with a 76.6% pass rate.
The most common MOT failure for the Mercedes R280 is Brakes, affecting 34.0% of all tests. 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. The second most common issue is Tyres at 31.9%. Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment rounds out the top three at 12.8%. Together, these top 3 failure categories account for a significant portion of all MOT failures for this model.
Top failures across all manufacture years combined. Individual year pages may show different top failures.
What Fails Most
Pass Rate by Manufacture Year
* High Fail Rate badge indicates an MOT pass rate below 65% (failure rate above 35%).
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 34.0% | 16 |
| 2 | Tyres | 31.9% | 15 |
| 3 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 23.4% | 11 |
| 4 | Non-component Advisories | 8.5% | 4 |
| 5 | Suspension | 6.4% | 3 |
| 6 | Registration Plates And Vin | 6.4% | 3 |
| 7 | Driver's View Of The Road | 2.1% | 1 |
| 8 | Visibility | 2.1% | 1 |
| 9 | Noise, Emissions And Leaks | 2.1% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 84,240 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 | 4.04 | 34.0% | 16 |
| Tyres | 3.79 | 31.9% | 15 |
| Lamps & Electrical | 2.78 | 23.4% | 11 |
| Non-component advisories | 1.01 | 8.5% | 4 |
| Suspension | 0.76 | 6.4% | 3 |
| Registration Plates and VIN | 0.76 | 6.4% | 3 |
| Visibility | 0.50 | 4.2% | 2 |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.25 | 2.1% | 1 |
🚗 Similar Cars to Consider
Mileage at MOT
The average Mercedes R280 has 84,240 miles when tested for MOT.
📊 Mileage-Adjusted Failure Rate
How often this car fails MOT relative to how much it's driven — a fairer comparison than raw pass rate.
The Mercedes R280 has a mileage-adjusted failure rate of 2.78% per 10,000 miles driven. The average across all makes is 5.38%, so this model is better than average.
About Mercedes R280 MOT Data
The Mercedes R280 is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 47 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 1 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 76.6% and a failure rate of 23.4%, which is well above the UK average of approximately 37%.
For Mercedes R280 owners, these results suggest a reliable vehicle that generally passes its MOT without major issues. Focus your pre-MOT checks on brakes and tyres for the best chance of a first-time pass. Use our detailed year-by-year breakdown and failure analysis below to understand how your specific R280 is likely to perform.
Brakes — 34.0% of failures
Brakes issues account for 34.0% of MOT failures on the Mercedes R280. 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).
Tyres — 31.9% of failures
Tyres issues account for 31.9% of MOT failures on the Mercedes R280. Tyre failures include tread depth below the legal minimum of 1.6mm, cuts, bulges, exposed cords, and incorrect tyre pressure. Tyres are one of the most common and easiest-to-prevent MOT failures. Typical repair costs: £50–200 per tyre. Pre-MOT check: Check tread depth with a 20p coin — if the outer band is visible, the tyre is too worn. Look for bulges, cuts, or embedded objects. Ensure all tyres match the recommended size and load rating.
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — 12.8% of failures
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment issues account for 12.8% of MOT failures on the Mercedes R280. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Mercedes R280?
Based on 47 (based on limited data) MOT tests in our database, the Mercedes R280 has an overall pass rate of 76.6% (23.4% fail rate).
What are the most common MOT failures on a Mercedes R280?
The top 3 reasons a Mercedes R280 fails its MOT are: 1. Brakes (34.0%), 2. Tyres (31.9%), 3. Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment (12.8%). Check these areas before booking your MOT.
Is the Mercedes R280 reliable?
With a 23.4% MOT failure rate, the R280 is more reliable than average compared to the UK average of ~40%.
What should I check before an MOT on my Mercedes R280?
Based on failure data, focus on: Brakes (34.0%); Tyres (31.9%); Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment (12.8%). These are the areas most likely to cause a fail. Also check all lights, tyres (minimum 1.6mm tread), and windscreen condition — these are quick wins that apply to all cars.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.