1989 Mercedes-Benz 190 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 802 MOT tests, the 1989 Mercedes-Benz 190 recorded a 77.9% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail at 21.3%, so the 1989 190 sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, emissions & environmental and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 12.8% of all tests — 4.6 points clear of emissions & environmental, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are non catalyst emissions, headlamp aim and component mounting prescribed areas — non catalyst emissions alone was recorded 60 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 1989 190 fails 25.0% of the time in the 30-60k band and 22.8% at 150k+, a spread of only 2.2 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 26.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 24.4% in 2021 to 17.2% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.8% | 103 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 8.2% | 66 |
| 3 | Suspension | 8.2% | 66 |
| 4 | Brakes | 7.7% | 62 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.2% | 50 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.2% | 34 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Non catalyst emissions | 60 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 42 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 42 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 41 |
| 5 | Exhaust system | 23 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 23 |
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 | 26.1% | 209 |
| 2 | Suspension | 23.2% | 186 |
| 3 | Tyres | 14.1% | 113 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.2% | 82 |
| 5 | Other defects | 10.0% | 80 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 9.8% | 79 |
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 | 64 | 25.0% |
| 60-90k | 160 | 20.0% |
| 90-120k | 197 | 21.8% |
| 120-150k | 145 | 22.1% |
| 150k+ | 233 | 22.8% |
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 664 | 22.3% |
| Diesel | 138 | 21.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 180 | 24.4% |
| 2022 | 183 | 24.0% |
| 2023 | 162 | 22.2% |
| 2024 | 149 | 20.8% |
| 2025 | 128 | 17.2% |
What to check before buying a 1989 190
On a 1989 190, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 12.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (12.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Emissions & environmental (8.2% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
- 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.
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 1989 Mercedes-Benz 190s pass their MOT?
77.9% of the 802 1989 Mercedes-Benz 190 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1989 Mercedes-Benz 190?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.8% of tests, followed by emissions & environmental (8.2%).
Does the 1989 190 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 25.0% in the 30-60k band to 22.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 802 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.