1992 Mercedes-Benz 190 E — MOT failures & pass rate
3,038 MOT tests on the 1992 Mercedes-Benz 190 E are in this dataset, and 79.7% of them passed. That is 2.7 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 22.9%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (10.6%) and suspension (8.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, headlamp aim and catalyst emissions — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 180 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 25.0% versus 2.4%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 30.8% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 10.6% | 321 |
| 2 | Suspension | 8.4% | 255 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.4% | 224 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.3% | 221 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 4.7% | 143 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.1% | 93 |
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 | 180 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 116 |
| 3 | Catalyst emissions | 115 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 111 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 88 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 88 |
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 | 30.8% | 936 |
| 2 | Suspension | 28.0% | 851 |
| 3 | Tyres | 15.8% | 481 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 14.0% | 424 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.4% | 408 |
| 6 | Other defects | 11.6% | 352 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 41 | 2.4% |
| 30-60k | 162 | 14.8% |
| 60-90k | 465 | 16.1% |
| 90-120k | 822 | 19.3% |
| 120-150k | 723 | 20.9% |
| 150k+ | 824 | 25.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 692 | 20.2% |
| 2022 | 664 | 20.6% |
| 2023 | 594 | 19.4% |
| 2024 | 550 | 21.3% |
| 2025 | 538 | 19.9% |
What to check before buying a 1992 190 E
On a 1992 190 E, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 10.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (10.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (8.4% 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 (7.4% 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 1992 Mercedes-Benz 190 Es pass their MOT?
79.7% of the 3,038 1992 Mercedes-Benz 190 E MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 20.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1992 Mercedes-Benz 190 E?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.6% of tests, followed by suspension (8.4%).
Does the 1992 190 E get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 2.4% in the 0-30k band to 25.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,038 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.