1984 Mercedes-Benz 230 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 1984 Mercedes-Benz 230 passed 80.9% of its 429 recorded MOT tests. All cars of a similar age fail at 19.7%, so the 1984 230 sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (10.0%) and suspension (9.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, service brake performance and ball joint dust cover — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 34 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 23.5% in the 30-60k band and 16.9% in the 150k+ band, a 6.7-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 21.7% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 20.5% in 2021 to 18.2% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 10.0% | 43 |
| 2 | Suspension | 9.3% | 40 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.2% | 31 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.3% | 27 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.1% | 22 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.0% | 13 |
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 | 34 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 25 |
| 3 | Ball joint dust cover | 22 |
| 4 | Wipers | 15 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 14 |
| 6 | Washers | 13 |
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 | 21.7% | 93 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.3% | 57 |
| 3 | Brakes | 13.1% | 56 |
| 4 | Tyres | 11.9% | 51 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 11.4% | 49 |
| 6 | Steering | 9.8% | 42 |
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 | 34 | 23.5% |
| 60-90k | 81 | 13.6% |
| 90-120k | 120 | 21.7% |
| 120-150k | 79 | 22.8% |
| 150k+ | 89 | 16.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 122 | 20.5% |
| 2022 | 93 | 17.2% |
| 2023 | 96 | 22.9% |
| 2024 | 74 | 14.9% |
| 2025 | 44 | 18.2% |
What to check before buying a 1984 230
On a 1984 230, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 10.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (10.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (9.3% 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.
- Brakes (7.2% 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
How many 1984 Mercedes-Benz 230s pass their MOT?
80.9% of the 429 1984 Mercedes-Benz 230 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 19.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1984 Mercedes-Benz 230?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.0% of tests, followed by suspension (9.3%).
Does the 1984 230 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 23.5% in the 30-60k band to 16.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 429 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.