1982 Mercedes-Benz 230 — MOT failures & pass rate
289 MOT tests on the 1982 Mercedes-Benz 230 are in this dataset, and 79.6% of them passed. That is 1.8 percentage points worse than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 18.6%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 13.2% of all tests — 3.5 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are ball joint dust cover, headlamp aim and headlamp — ball joint dust cover alone was recorded 19 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 60-90k one: 25.0% versus 16.3%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 23.5% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 25.5% in 2021 to 18.2% in 2023, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.2% | 38 |
| 2 | Suspension | 9.7% | 28 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.6% | 22 |
| 4 | Brakes | 6.9% | 20 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 4.8% | 14 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.8% | 8 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ball joint dust cover | 19 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 19 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 18 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 14 |
| 5 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 13 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 12 |
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 | 23.5% | 68 |
| 2 | Brakes | 17.3% | 50 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.9% | 46 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 14.5% | 42 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 10.4% | 30 |
| 6 | Tyres | 10.0% | 29 |
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 | 49 | 16.3% |
| 90-120k | 79 | 11.4% |
| 120-150k | 81 | 25.9% |
| 150k+ | 52 | 25.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 106 | 25.5% |
| 2022 | 89 | 18.0% |
| 2023 | 44 | 18.2% |
What to check before buying a 1982 230
On a 1982 230, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (13.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (9.7% 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 (7.6% 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 1982 Mercedes-Benz 230s pass their MOT?
79.6% of the 289 1982 Mercedes-Benz 230 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 20.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1982 Mercedes-Benz 230?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.2% of tests, followed by suspension (9.7%).
Does the 1982 230 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.3% in the 60-90k band to 25.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 289 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.