1991 Mercedes-Benz 208 D — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 295 MOT tests, the 1991 Mercedes-Benz 208 D recorded a 69.8% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 22.3% of the time, so this is 7.8pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 20.7% of all tests — 4.8 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are service brake performance, headlamp aim and service brake imbalance — service brake performance alone was recorded 38 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 1991 208 D fails 32.8% of the time in the 30-60k band and 36.7% at 150k+, a spread of only 3.9 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 29.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 30.8% in 2021 to 28.0% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 20.7% | 61 |
| 2 | Brakes | 15.9% | 47 |
| 3 | Suspension | 8.8% | 26 |
| 4 | Visibility | 8.8% | 26 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.1% | 24 |
| 6 | Steering | 6.8% | 20 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Service brake performance | 38 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 26 |
| 3 | Service brake imbalance | 24 |
| 4 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 23 |
| 5 | Wipers | 22 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 21 |
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 | 29.1% | 86 |
| 2 | Steering | 20.3% | 60 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 20.0% | 59 |
| 4 | Suspension | 17.6% | 52 |
| 5 | Tyres | 12.9% | 38 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 10.2% | 30 |
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 | 67 | 32.8% |
| 60-90k | 102 | 31.4% |
| 90-120k | 40 | 30.0% |
| 120-150k | 37 | 13.5% |
| 150k+ | 49 | 36.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 65 | 30.8% |
| 2022 | 66 | 31.8% |
| 2023 | 58 | 29.3% |
| 2024 | 56 | 30.4% |
| 2025 | 50 | 28.0% |
What to check before buying a 1991 208 D
On a 1991 208 D, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 20.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (20.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (15.9% 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.
- Suspension (8.8% 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 1991 Mercedes-Benz 208 Ds pass their MOT?
69.8% of the 295 1991 Mercedes-Benz 208 D MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1991 Mercedes-Benz 208 D?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.7% of tests, followed by brakes (15.9%).
Does the 1991 208 D get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 32.8% in the 30-60k band to 36.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 295 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.