1991 Mercedes-Benz 190 E — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 2,259 MOT tests analysed for the 1991 Mercedes-Benz 190 E, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 80.2% was above the average for cars of a similar age (78.6%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 24.2% in the 150k+ group versus 10.3% in the 30-60k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 10.8% | 243 |
| 2 | Suspension | 8.2% | 184 |
| 3 | Brakes | 6.8% | 154 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.7% | 151 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.2% | 73 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.9% | 66 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 123 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 78 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 73 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 68 |
| 5 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 64 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 59 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 31.1% | 702 |
| 2 | Suspension | 26.9% | 607 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 16.7% | 377 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.6% | 376 |
| 5 | Tyres | 15.7% | 354 |
| 6 | Other defects | 12.2% | 276 |
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 | 156 | 10.3% |
| 60-90k | 393 | 20.6% |
| 90-120k | 560 | 17.9% |
| 120-150k | 513 | 20.1% |
| 150k+ | 611 | 24.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 519 | 20.2% |
| 2022 | 507 | 20.3% |
| 2023 | 452 | 19.7% |
| 2024 | 391 | 18.9% |
| 2025 | 390 | 19.7% |
What to check before buying a 1991 190 E
Before buying a 1991 Mercedes-Benz 190 E, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 10.8% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (10.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (8.2% 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.
- Brakes (6.8% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
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 1991 Mercedes-Benz 190 Es pass their MOT?
80.2% of the 2,259 1991 Mercedes-Benz 190 E MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 19.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1991 Mercedes-Benz 190 E?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.8% of tests, followed by suspension (8.2%).
Does the 1991 190 E get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.3% in the 30-60k band to 24.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,259 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.