1993 Mercedes-Benz 190 — MOT failures & pass rate
314 MOT tests on the 1993 Mercedes-Benz 190 are in this dataset, and 82.5% of them passed. That is 5.9 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 23.4%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (8.6%) and suspension (7.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, chassis condition and rbt (sp) — headlamp aim alone was recorded 13 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 1993 190 fails 20.0% of the time in the 60-90k band and 18.6% at 150k+, a spread of only 1.4 points.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 28.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 8.6% | 27 |
| 2 | Suspension | 7.0% | 22 |
| 3 | Brakes | 5.4% | 17 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.8% | 15 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.2% | 10 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.5% | 8 |
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 | 13 |
| 2 | Chassis condition | 12 |
| 3 | Rbt (sp) | 9 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 9 |
| 5 | Door condition | 7 |
| 6 | Ball joint dust cover | 7 |
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 | 28.7% | 90 |
| 2 | Brakes | 23.9% | 75 |
| 3 | Tyres | 15.3% | 48 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.1% | 41 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 11.2% | 35 |
| 6 | Steering | 8.6% | 27 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 55 | 20.0% |
| 90-120k | 34 | 5.9% |
| 120-150k | 54 | 18.5% |
| 150k+ | 145 | 18.6% |
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 232 | 17.2% |
| Petrol | 82 | 18.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 74 | 17.6% |
| 2022 | 65 | 18.5% |
| 2023 | 62 | 19.4% |
| 2024 | 54 | 14.8% |
| 2025 | 59 | 17.0% |
What to check before buying a 1993 190
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 8.6% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (8.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (7.0% 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 (5.4% 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 1993 Mercedes-Benz 190s pass their MOT?
82.5% of the 314 1993 Mercedes-Benz 190 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 17.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1993 Mercedes-Benz 190?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 8.6% of tests, followed by suspension (7.0%).
Does the 1993 190 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.0% in the 60-90k band to 18.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 314 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.