1987 Mercedes-Benz 190 E — MOT failures & pass rate
266 MOT tests on the 1987 Mercedes-Benz 190 E are in this dataset, and 84.6% of them passed. That is 5.2 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 20.6%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 9.0% of all tests — 4.1 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, component mounting prescribed areas and non catalyst emissions — headlamp aim alone was recorded 12 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 21.6% versus 6.3%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 22.6% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 17.3% in 2021 to 15.1% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 9.0% | 24 |
| 2 | Suspension | 4.9% | 13 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.9% | 13 |
| 4 | Brakes | 4.9% | 13 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 4.5% | 12 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.3% | 6 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 12 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 11 |
| 3 | Non catalyst emissions | 8 |
| 4 | Ball joint dust cover | 7 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 7 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 6 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 22.6% | 60 |
| 2 | Brakes | 17.3% | 46 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 14.7% | 39 |
| 4 | Tyres | 14.3% | 38 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.7% | 31 |
| 6 | Steering | 10.9% | 29 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 48 | 6.3% |
| 60-90k | 38 | 10.5% |
| 90-120k | 57 | 12.3% |
| 120-150k | 69 | 21.7% |
| 150k+ | 51 | 21.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 52 | 17.3% |
| 2022 | 53 | 17.0% |
| 2023 | 56 | 14.3% |
| 2024 | 52 | 13.5% |
| 2025 | 53 | 15.1% |
What to check before buying a 1987 190 E
On a 1987 190 E, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 9.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (9.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (4.9% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Body, structure & corrosion (4.9% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 1987 Mercedes-Benz 190 Es pass their MOT?
84.6% of the 266 1987 Mercedes-Benz 190 E MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 15.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1987 Mercedes-Benz 190 E?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 9.0% of tests, followed by suspension (4.9%).
Does the 1987 190 E get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.3% in the 30-60k band to 21.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 266 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.