Mercedes-Benz 208 D MOT pass rate & common failures
Across 38 model years and 3,023 tests, the Mercedes-Benz 208 D passes its MOT 71.2% of the time. Against all cars of a similar age (24.2% fail rate), the 208 D comes out 4.6pp worse. Its most common failure areas are lighting & signalling, brakes and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 21.7% of all tests — 6.2 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, service brake performance and headlamp aim — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 394 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 23.4% in the 0-30k band and 31.4% in the 150k+ band, a 8.0-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 38.2% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 29.0% in 2021 to 26.9% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
By model year
Every 208 D model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | 209 | 67.5% | 32.5% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1990 | 230 | 76.1% | 23.9% | Brakes |
| 1991 | 295 | 69.8% | 30.2% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1992 | 199 | 66.8% | 33.2% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1993 | 118 | 66.1% | 33.9% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1994 | 197 | 68.0% | 32.0% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1995 | 206 | 74.8% | 25.2% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1996 | 280 | 76.1% | 23.9% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1997 | 386 | 73.6% | 26.4% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1998 | 340 | 68.2% | 31.8% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1999 | 301 | 71.4% | 28.6% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2000 | 79 | 83.5% | 16.5% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2002 | 54 | 63.0% | 37.0% | Lighting & signalling |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 21.7% | 657 |
| 2 | Brakes | 15.6% | 471 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.5% | 349 |
| 4 | Suspension | 10.7% | 324 |
| 5 | Visibility | 8.4% | 253 |
| 6 | Steering | 5.9% | 178 |
| 7 | Tyres | 3.4% | 103 |
| 8 | Emissions & environmental | 1.9% | 58 |
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 | 394 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 260 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 254 |
| 4 | Wipers | 190 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 188 |
| 6 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 165 |
| 7 | Service brake imbalance | 164 |
| 8 | Headlamp | 156 |
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 | 38.2% | 1,155 |
| 2 | Suspension | 26.9% | 814 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 22.9% | 692 |
| 4 | Tyres | 18.7% | 564 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 16.5% | 498 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 16.4% | 496 |
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 | 94 | 23.4% |
| 30-60k | 249 | 30.9% |
| 60-90k | 697 | 30.9% |
| 90-120k | 530 | 25.7% |
| 120-150k | 431 | 23.7% |
| 150k+ | 937 | 31.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 765 | 29.0% |
| 2022 | 660 | 29.4% |
| 2023 | 599 | 28.4% |
| 2024 | 531 | 29.9% |
| 2025 | 468 | 26.9% |
What to check before buying a Mercedes-Benz 208 D
- Lighting & signalling (21.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (15.6% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (11.5% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Mercedes-Benz 208 D?
71.2% of the 3,023 Mercedes-Benz 208 D MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 28.8% fail rate, across model years 1982–2019.
What does the Mercedes-Benz 208 D most often fail its MOT on?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 21.7% of tests, then brakes (15.6%).
How much does mileage affect 208 D MOT results?
Fail rates run at 23.4% for cars in the 0-30k band and 31.4% for 150k+, a 8.0-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,023 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.