1999 Mercedes-Benz 208 D — MOT failures & pass rate
301 MOT tests on the 1999 Mercedes-Benz 208 D are in this dataset, and 71.4% of them passed. That is 2.3 percentage points worse than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 26.2%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 21.9% of all tests — 8.0 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, wipers and headlamp aim — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 51 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 60-90k one: 27.8% versus 32.6%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 44.9% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 25.8% of tests failed in 2021 against 28.2% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 21.9% | 66 |
| 2 | Brakes | 14.0% | 42 |
| 3 | Suspension | 12.3% | 37 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.3% | 28 |
| 5 | Visibility | 8.0% | 24 |
| 6 | Steering | 6.0% | 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 | 51 |
| 2 | Wipers | 30 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 24 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 20 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 20 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 19 |
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 | 44.9% | 135 |
| 2 | Suspension | 38.5% | 116 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 21.9% | 66 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 21.9% | 66 |
| 5 | Tyres | 20.3% | 61 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 17.9% | 54 |
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 | 46 | 32.6% |
| 90-120k | 42 | 28.6% |
| 120-150k | 62 | 25.8% |
| 150k+ | 133 | 27.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 89 | 25.8% |
| 2022 | 68 | 29.4% |
| 2023 | 57 | 26.3% |
| 2024 | 48 | 35.4% |
| 2025 | 39 | 28.2% |
What to check before buying a 1999 208 D
On a 1999 208 D, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 21.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (21.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (14.0% 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 (12.3% 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 1999 Mercedes-Benz 208 Ds pass their MOT?
71.4% of the 301 1999 Mercedes-Benz 208 D MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1999 Mercedes-Benz 208 D?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 21.9% of tests, followed by brakes (14.0%).
Does the 1999 208 D get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 32.6% in the 60-90k band to 27.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 301 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.