1992 Mercedes-Benz 200 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 284 MOT tests analysed for the 1992 Mercedes-Benz 200, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 78.9% was in line with the average for cars of a similar age (78.0%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 24.1% in the 150k+ group versus 7.1% in the 60-90k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.3% | 52 |
| 2 | Suspension | 9.9% | 28 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.5% | 24 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.8% | 22 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 5.6% | 16 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.2% | 9 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 22 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 18 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 13 |
| 4 | Exhaust system | 13 |
| 5 | Rear fog lamp | 11 |
| 6 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 10 |
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 | 31.7% | 90 |
| 2 | Suspension | 20.1% | 57 |
| 3 | Tyres | 12.7% | 36 |
| 4 | Other defects | 12.0% | 34 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 11.6% | 33 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.2% | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 42 | 7.1% |
| 90-120k | 59 | 18.6% |
| 120-150k | 67 | 26.9% |
| 150k+ | 108 | 24.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 77 | 20.8% |
| 2022 | 60 | 23.3% |
| 2023 | 57 | 19.3% |
| 2024 | 45 | 20.0% |
| 2025 | 45 | 22.2% |
What to check before buying a 1992 200
Before buying a 1992 Mercedes-Benz 200, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 18.3% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (18.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (9.9% 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.
- Brakes (8.5% 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 200s pass their MOT?
78.9% of the 284 1992 Mercedes-Benz 200 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1992 Mercedes-Benz 200?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.3% of tests, followed by suspension (9.9%).
Does the 1992 200 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.1% in the 60-90k band to 24.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 284 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.