Mercedes-Benz 230 MOT pass rate & common failures
Across 42 model years and 5,134 tests, the Mercedes-Benz 230 passes its MOT 78.6% of the time. That is effectively the same as all cars of a similar age (21.1% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Its most common failure areas are lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 12.7% of all tests — 4.3 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, headlamp aim and position lamp — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 276 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 17.6% in the 0-30k band and 27.0% in the 150k+ band, a 9.4-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 27.5% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 23.2% in 2021 to 18.9% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
By model year
Every 230 model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 84 | 77.4% | 22.6% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1982 | 289 | 79.6% | 20.4% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1983 | 346 | 80.9% | 19.1% | Body, structure & corrosion |
| 1984 | 429 | 80.9% | 19.1% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1985 | 746 | 78.7% | 21.3% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1986 | 144 | 81.9% | 18.1% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1987 | 174 | 71.8% | 28.2% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1988 | 324 | 77.5% | 22.5% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1989 | 456 | 76.8% | 23.3% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1990 | 602 | 80.6% | 19.4% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1991 | 609 | 78.3% | 21.7% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1992 | 603 | 77.1% | 22.9% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1998 | 40 | 75.0% | 25.0% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2000 | 42 | 64.3% | 35.7% | Body, structure & corrosion |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.7% | 653 |
| 2 | Suspension | 8.4% | 431 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.9% | 405 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.4% | 379 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.6% | 238 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.8% | 195 |
| 7 | Steering | 3.0% | 156 |
| 8 | Tyres | 2.1% | 108 |
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 | 276 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 259 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 203 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 190 |
| 5 | Ball joint dust cover | 162 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 155 |
| 7 | Washers | 149 |
| 8 | Rigid brake pipes | 138 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 27.5% | 1,414 |
| 2 | Brakes | 24.3% | 1,246 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 16.6% | 851 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.3% | 785 |
| 5 | Tyres | 15.0% | 768 |
| 6 | Steering | 9.5% | 488 |
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 | 290 | 17.6% |
| 30-60k | 442 | 20.6% |
| 60-90k | 932 | 17.8% |
| 90-120k | 1,071 | 19.1% |
| 120-150k | 977 | 20.7% |
| 150k+ | 1,420 | 27.0% |
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 5,038 | 21.4% |
| Diesel | 96 | 20.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,327 | 23.2% |
| 2022 | 1,161 | 20.7% |
| 2023 | 1,043 | 22.4% |
| 2024 | 872 | 20.5% |
| 2025 | 731 | 18.9% |
What to check before buying a Mercedes-Benz 230
- Lighting & signalling (12.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (8.4% 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 (7.9% 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.
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 230?
78.6% of the 5,134 Mercedes-Benz 230 MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 21.4% fail rate, across model years 1980–2021.
What does the Mercedes-Benz 230 most often fail its MOT on?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.7% of tests, then suspension (8.4%).
How much does mileage affect 230 MOT results?
Fail rates run at 17.6% for cars in the 0-30k band and 27.0% for 150k+, a 9.4-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,134 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.