1998 Mercedes-Benz 208 D — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 340 MOT tests, the 1998 Mercedes-Benz 208 D recorded a 68.2% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 25.7% of the time, so this is 6.0pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 23.5% of tests against 16.2% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, rigid brake pipes and chassis condition — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 67 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 1998 208 D fails 32.1% of the time in the 60-90k band and 34.0% at 150k+, a spread of only 1.9 points.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 47.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 32.0% in 2021 to 26.2% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 23.5% | 80 |
| 2 | Suspension | 16.2% | 55 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.2% | 55 |
| 4 | Brakes | 13.8% | 47 |
| 5 | Steering | 8.2% | 28 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.3% | 18 |
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 | 67 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 38 |
| 3 | Chassis condition | 35 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 23 |
| 5 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 23 |
| 6 | Steering rack | 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 | 47.1% | 160 |
| 2 | Suspension | 41.8% | 142 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 27.4% | 93 |
| 4 | Tyres | 25.3% | 86 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 19.7% | 67 |
| 6 | Other defects | 19.7% | 67 |
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 | 53 | 32.1% |
| 90-120k | 55 | 27.3% |
| 120-150k | 41 | 36.6% |
| 150k+ | 156 | 34.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 100 | 32.0% |
| 2022 | 86 | 37.2% |
| 2023 | 58 | 27.6% |
| 2024 | 54 | 31.5% |
| 2025 | 42 | 26.2% |
What to check before buying a 1998 208 D
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 23.5% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (23.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (16.2% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (16.2% 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
How many 1998 Mercedes-Benz 208 Ds pass their MOT?
68.2% of the 340 1998 Mercedes-Benz 208 D MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1998 Mercedes-Benz 208 D?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 23.5% of tests, followed by suspension (16.2%).
Does the 1998 208 D get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 32.1% in the 60-90k band to 34.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 340 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.